White Grunt: Haemulon plumieri

Appearance:

body color light bluish-gray, head with horizontal blue stripes, white underbelly; black blotch on preopercle; margin of each scale bronze; large bright orange mouth; scales above lateral line larger than scales below lateral line.

Habitat:

from SHORE to the outer reef edge or on OFFSHORE hard bottom to 115 feet; most abundant in water less than 80 feet deep; juveniles INSHORE.

Behavior:

audible grunting is produced by grinding of the pharyngeal teeth, with air bladder acting as amplifyer; spawning occurs on OFFSHORE hard bottoms or reefs from May through June; feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and small fishes.

State Record:

15 lb 8 oz, caught near Key West

Fishing Tips and Facts:

Size: most catches 1.5 pounds (15 inches).

Additional Information:

Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles