Spanish Grunt

The Spanish Grunt is a beautifully marked Caribbean grunt species distinguished by its prominent pattern of golden-yellow stripes running horizontally along a silvery body, with a characteristic dark spot at the base of the caudal fin. Growing to about 17 inches, Haemulon macrostomum is a moderately large grunt with a robust body and the relatively large mouth suggested by its species name 'macrostomum'. Its striking yellow striping makes it one of the more visually appealing members of the grunt family and a desirable addition to large marine aquariums.

In the wild, the Spanish Grunt is found throughout the Western Atlantic from Bermuda and Florida south through the Caribbean to Brazil. It is a common reef inhabitant that forms mixed-species schools with other grunts during the day, congregating beneath coral overhangs, in caves, and along reef walls. At night, individuals leave the reef to forage over adjacent sandy and seagrass habitats, feeding on crustaceans, worms, small mollusks, and various benthic invertebrates. The species is particularly abundant on shallow reefs and around patch reef formations.

In the aquarium, the Spanish Grunt is a hardy and rewarding species that adapts well to captive conditions. It is an easy-to-feed carnivore that accepts a wide range of prepared foods shortly after introduction. A minimum tank size of 180 gallons is recommended for its adult size. Its peaceful temperament and attractive coloration make it an excellent choice for large community marine setups, and it is reef-safe with respect to corals.