Smallmouth grunt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smallmouth grunt |
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The smallmouth grunt (Haemulon chrysargyreum) is a type of fish found in the ocean. It's also known as the bronze grunt or yellowstripe grunt. This fish belongs to a group called grunts, which are known for making grunting sounds. You can find the smallmouth grunt in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean.
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What the Smallmouth Grunt Looks Like
The smallmouth grunt is a small fish. It usually grows to about 17 centimeters (about 6.7 inches) long, but some can reach up to 23 centimeters (about 9 inches). It has a short nose and a small mouth that is almost straight across. The inside of its mouth is red!
Its body is flat from side to side, and its tail fin is forked, like a "V" shape. The fish is mostly silver with five bright bronze-yellow stripes running along its sides. Most of its fins are yellow, except for the fins near its chest. Its top fin has 12 stiff spines and 13 soft rays. The fin on its belly has 3 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays.
Where Smallmouth Grunts Live
Smallmouth grunts live all over the western Atlantic Ocean. This includes areas from southern Florida down to the coast of Brazil. You can also find them in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Adult smallmouth grunts like to live in open areas of coral reefs and along rocky coasts. They can be found in waters up to 25 meters (about 82 feet) deep. Younger grunts prefer places with hard surfaces. They often hang out around coral reefs or in beds of Thalassia sea grass.
Smallmouth Grunt Behavior
The smallmouth grunt is a nocturnal animal, which means it is active at night. During the day, these fish gather in large groups, called schools, near reefs or rocks. When night comes, they spread out into the open ocean to find food.
Their main food source is plankton, which are tiny plants and animals that float in the water. They also eat small crustaceans (like tiny crabs or shrimp) and other mollusks (like snails or clams).
Interestingly, near the Fernando de Noronha Islands in Brazil, smallmouth grunts have been seen swimming with yellow goatfish. These two fish look very similar in color and shape. By swimming together in mixed schools, they can confuse predators and stay safer.
History of the Smallmouth Grunt
The smallmouth grunt was first officially described in 1859 by a scientist named Albert Günther. He was a German-born British expert on fish and reptiles. The name chrysargyreum comes from two Greek words: chrysos, meaning "gold," and argyreum, meaning "silvery." This name perfectly describes the fish's silvery body with its golden stripes!
How People Use Smallmouth Grunts
Smallmouth grunts are sometimes caught by accident in fishing traps. When this happens, the fish are usually sold fresh for people to eat. They are not very common in home aquariums, but you might see them in large public aquarium displays.
