Spottail Grunt

Body oblong, compressed, and deep (depth contained 2.2 to 2.7 times in standard length); mouth large and terminal, its posterior end located at the same level as the anterior edge of the pupil; first gill arch with 22 to 39 gill rakers; dorsal fin notched, with 12 to 14 spines and 14 to 17 soft rays (XII-XIV, 14-17); second anal spine slightly longer and stronger than third; scale series above lateral line is parallel to it; body dark brown; each scale bearing a pearly blue spot, the spots appearing to form lines following the scale series; fins yellowish; caudal peduncle with a large spot (Ref. 55763).

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

Found in schools around coastal reefs during the day, dispersing over sandy bottoms at night (Ref. 9114). Carnivore (Ref. 57615).

Found in schools around coastal reefs during the day, dispersing over sandy bottoms at night (Ref. 9114). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9114).

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