Sailors Choice

The Sailors Choice is a handsome and distinctive Caribbean grunt recognized by its pattern of dark spots and oblique stripes arranged in neat rows along its silvery body. Growing to about 16 inches, Haemulon parra is a moderately sized grunt species that occupies a comfortable middle ground between the smaller schooling grunts and the larger margates. Its common name has uncertain origins but has been used by fishermen in the Caribbean for centuries, possibly referring to it as a reliable catch that was always available to sailors.

In the wild, the Sailors Choice is found throughout the Western Atlantic from Florida and the Bahamas through the Caribbean to Brazil. It inhabits coral reefs, rocky areas, and adjacent sandy habitats at depths typically between 10 and 60 feet. Like other grunts, it is a schooling species that forms dense aggregations near reef structures during the day, often mixing with other Haemulon species. At night, it disperses to feed over sandy bottoms and seagrass beds, consuming crustaceans, worms, small mollusks, and other benthic invertebrates.

In the aquarium, the Sailors Choice is a hardy and adaptable species that makes an excellent addition to large marine community tanks. It readily accepts prepared foods and tolerates a range of water conditions, making it suitable for aquarists with some experience. A minimum tank size of 180 gallons is recommended for its adult size and active schooling habits. This species is reef-safe and generally peaceful with a wide variety of tankmates.