Haemulon aurolineatum Cuvier, 1830
Tomtate grunt
photo by Libert, F.

Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Haemulinae
Max. size:  28 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 85.6 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 30 - 70 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda through the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Most abundant member of the genus Haemulon along the eastern coast of Florida (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Silvery white with a mid-lateral yellow stripe running from eye to a large round black spot at base of caudal fin; a second narrower yellow stripe on back above lateral line (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Maximum depth from Ref. 126840. Inhabits seagrass beds, sand flats, and patch reefs (Ref. 9710). Forms schools (Ref. 5521). Feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks, other benthic invertebrates, plankton, and algae (Ref. 3798). Marketed fresh and salted (Ref. 3798).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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