Burrito Grunt

Family: Grunts (Haemulidae)

Size: Up to 60 cm (24 in) | Common: 35 cm

Depth: 3 – 30m (10 – 100ft)

Distribution: Eastern Pacific (Gulf of California to Peru & Galapagos).

Identification:
A robust fish often mistaken for a snapper, but distinguished by its thick lips and scale pattern.

• Color: The body is silvery-grey, but looks textured because every scale has a dark spot, creating a "waffle-iron" or checkerboard pattern. The rear half of the body often transitions into a yellowish tint.
• Fins: The caudal (tail) fin, pelvic fins, and the rear part of the dorsal fin are bright yellow.
• Face: It has a steep, sloping forehead and distinctively thick, fleshy lips. The eye is typically bright yellow or gold.

Behavior:
The noisy drifter.

• The Name: Like all grunts, they can make a loud "grunting" sound by grinding their pharyngeal teeth together, amplified by their swim bladder. You can sometimes hear this underwater if you are close enough.
• Habit: They are generally solitary or found in small, loose groups hovering near caves and overhangs during the day. At night, they become active hunters, searching the sand for crustaceans.