The bluestriped grunt is a member of the grunt family (Family Haemulidae) that lives on coral reefs in the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Grunts derive their name because they make grunting sound with their pharylgeal teeth.

Bluestriped grunt. Source: ''Reef Fish Identification'', New World Publications © 1994

Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia (Animals) Phylum:--- Chordata Class:------ Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes) Order:-------- Perciformes Family:-------- Haemulidae (Grunts) Genus:----------Haemulon Species:--------- Haemulon sciurus (Shaw, 1803)

Physical Description

Bluestriped grunts range from 20 to 46 centimeters in length.  They have a streamlined body with a forked tail and have a series of blue stripes running horizontally down their body on a yellow background.  They have a dark tails and dorsal fins.

Distribution

They have a subtropical distribution.  In the Western Atlantic they are found from Florida, USA to Brazil, as well as in Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Habitat

They are found on coral reefs in water depths of zero to 30 meters.   They are usually observed swimming over sand and rock bottoms near the reef. Juveniles of the species often found in seagrass beds.

Feeding Behavior

Bluestriped grunts are carnivores that feed on crustaceans, bivalves, and small fishes.  They hang around the reef during the day. At sunset, they form schools that travel to foraging areas up to half a mile away following trails along the bottom. When they reach their feeding grounds, they split up and forage solitarily for the rest of the night. Before sunup, they regroup and return home.

Behavior

Because they feed at night, bluestriped grunts spend their days hiding under ledges of within the braches of elkhorn coral.  They sometimes form large schools on coral reefs.

Sometimes two bluestriped grunts will face each other and push one another with open mouths. Although the purpose for this behavior is unknown, it is believed to be related to either courtship or territory defense.

Reproduction

Bluestriped grunts are pelagic spawners.  Their larvae enter the planktonic stage before settling in nursery area such as shallow back reefs or sea grass beds.  When they reach maturity, they move to the reefs and join the adults.  Bluestriped grunts may live for about nine to ten years.

Associations

During the day, bluestriped grunts may be found in mixed-species schools with other grunts.

Conservation Status

The bluestriped grunt is not considered to be a species at risk.

References and Further Reading

• Encyclopedia of Life. Curator: C.Michael Hogan. 2011. Haemulon sciurus (Shaw, 1803)
• Florida Museum of Natural History. 2011. Bluestriped Grunts
• P.Humann and N.Deloach (Editor) 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078
• N.Deloach. 1999. Reef Fish Behavior, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348280