Cortez Grunt

Body oblong, compressed, and fairly deep (depth contained 3.0 to 3.1 times in standard length); mouth large, terminal, and oblique, its anterior edge located at the same level as the center of the eye; first gill arch with 26 to 36 gill rakers; dorsal fin notched, with 10 to 12 spines and 15 to 18 soft rays (X-XII, 15-18); second anal spine longer and stronger than third; scale series above lateral line oblique; body light brown; each scale bearing a pearly blue spot, the spots appearing to form lines following the scale series; fins yellowish (Ref. 55763).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Benthic in coastal waters. Forms schools over rocky and sandy bottoms. Feeds at night.

Benthic in coastal waters. Forms schools over rocky and sandy bottoms. Feeds at night. Marketed fresh.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family