Spottail Grunt

Appearance

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.

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Baja California, Mexico to Colombia.

Habitat

Found in schools around coastal reefs during the day, dispersing over sandy bottoms at night.

Reproduction

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.

Uses

Marketed fresh.