Smallmouth Grunt

The Smallmouth Grunt is one of the more diminutive members of the grunt family, reaching a maximum size of about 9 inches, making it one of the most aquarium-friendly grunt species available. Haemulon chrysargyreum has an attractive silver body adorned with bright yellow horizontal stripes and a characteristically small mouth relative to its body size, which gives this species its common name. Its compact size and bold striping pattern make it a particularly appealing choice for aquarists who want the classic grunt schooling behavior without the massive tank requirements of larger species.

In the wild, the Smallmouth Grunt is abundant throughout the Caribbean and Western Atlantic, from Bermuda and Florida south to Brazil. It is one of the most commonly encountered grunt species on Caribbean reefs, forming large, dense schools that hover above coral heads and along reef walls during the day. These schools can number in the hundreds, creating a shimmering wall of silver and yellow that is one of the signature sights of Caribbean reefs. At night, individuals disperse from the school to feed over sand flats and seagrass beds on small crustaceans, worms, and other tiny invertebrates.

In the aquarium, the Smallmouth Grunt is an ideal entry point into grunt keeping, requiring only 75 gallons for a single specimen or small group. It is hardy, readily accepts prepared foods, and adapts quickly to captive conditions. Its peaceful nature and manageable size make it compatible with a wide range of community tankmates, and its active schooling behavior adds dynamic movement to any marine aquarium.