Haemulon melanurum

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Cottonwick grunt
French : Gorette mèche

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Eupercaria i. s. (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Haemulidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 33 cm for a weight of 555 g. Body not deep, snout profile slightly sloping. Coloration grey to silvery-blue grey with yellow longitudinal bands, brown band from snout to eye. Upper back to tail fin black-brown.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Western Atlantic Ocean from Florida, Bermuda and Bahamas to Gulf of Mexico and through Caribbean islands to Brazil. Lives in clear water around hardbottom areas, coral reefs and algae beds, to 50 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species seems to remain safe although it can locally suffer from fishing pressure. More monitoring of fisheries impact on this species is needed.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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