Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, compressed; color golden on top, sides and bottom white or silvery with yellow horizontal stripes; 1 yellow stripe extends from eye to base of tail; large dark blotch at base of tail; snout pointed, mouth large, reaching to back of eye; inside mouth bright orange or red; 2 pores on chin. |
Similar Species |
The tomtate and the striped grunt, H. boschmae, are the only grunts in this area with 13 dorsal spines. The striped grunt also has yellow stripes and a blotch on the tail, but it is more slender and its body in nearly round in cross section (not laterally compressed). The inside of its mouth is white. |
Habitat |
Gulf, sandy bottoms and seagrass beds near reefs |
Maximum Size |
25 cm (10 in), common to 18 cm (7 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. XIII,14-15; A. III,9 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |