Cottonwick grunt (Haemulon melanurum) fish species and information / pictures of Cottonwick grunt - Haemulon melanurum

Cottonwick grunt (Haemulon melanurum) fish species information

Scientific Name
Haemulon melanurum

Common Name
Cottonwick grunt

Biology
Inhabits clear inshore and offshore reefs (Ref. 9710) and adjacent grass beds, often in schools (Ref. 3798). Feeds on crustaceans (Ref. 3798). Marketed fresh (Ref. 3798).

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Grunts (Haemulidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Bermuda, southeastern Florida (USA), and the Bahamas to Brazil.
Range
32°N - 33°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
3 m
Depth To - meters
50 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 50 m (Ref. 9626)
Trophic Level
2.15 s.e. 0.18 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
33.0 cm
Common Length
25.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.3)
Threat To Humans
  Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30303)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated