# Haemulon

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Genus of fishes

Haemulon Haemulon sciurus Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Acanthuriformes Family: Haemulidae Subfamily: Haemulinae Genus: Haemulon G. Cuvier, 1829 Type species Haemulon elegans G. Cuvier, 1829 Synonyms Anarmostus Scudder, 1863 Bathystoma Scudder, 1863 Brachygenys Poey, 1868 Diabasis Desmarest, 1823 Inermia Poey, 1860 Isaciops Miles, 1953 Lythrulon D. S. Jordan & Swain, 1884 Orthostoechus T. N. Gill, 1862

*[Haemulon striatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_striatum&action=edit&redlink=1)*

*[Haemulon carbonarium](/source/Haemulon_carbonarium)*

*[Haemulon flavolineatum](/source/Haemulon_flavolineatum)*

*[Haemulon macrostomum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_macrostomum&action=edit&redlink=1)*

***Haemulon*** is a [genus](/source/Genus) of [fish](/source/Fish) in the [grunt family](/source/Haemulidae) known as the **scaled-fin grunts**. Most are found in the western [Atlantic Ocean](/source/Atlantic_Ocean), with a few species known from the eastern [Pacific Ocean](/source/Pacific_Ocean).[1] This genus is considered to be one of the most important fish groups of the [coral reefs](/source/Coral_reef) of [Brazil](/source/Brazil) due to its commercial value and crucial ecological role.[2]

## Species

The 23 or so species in this genus include:[3]

- *[Haemulon album](/source/Haemulon_album)* [G. Cuvier](/source/Georges_Cuvier), 1830 (white margate)

- *[Haemulon aurolineatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_aurolineatum&action=edit&redlink=1)* G. Cuvier, 1830 (tomtate grunt)

- *[Haemulon bonariense](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_bonariense&action=edit&redlink=1)* G. Cuvier, 1830 (black grunt)

- *[Haemulon boschmae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_boschmae&action=edit&redlink=1)* ([Metzelaar](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jan_Marie_Metzelaar&action=edit&redlink=1), 1919) (bronzestripe grunt)

- *[Haemulon carbonarium](/source/Haemulon_carbonarium)* [Poey](/source/Felipe_Poey_y_Aloy), 1860 (caesar grunt)

- *[Haemulon chrysargyreum](/source/Haemulon_chrysargyreum)* [Günther](/source/Albert_G%C3%BCnther), 1859 (smallmouth grunt)

- *[Haemulon flaviguttatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_flaviguttatum&action=edit&redlink=1)* [T. N. Gill](/source/Theodore_Nicholas_Gill), 1862 (yellowspotted grunt)

- *[Haemulon flavolineatum](/source/Haemulon_flavolineatum)* ([Desmarest](/source/Anselme_Ga%C3%ABtan_Desmarest), 1823) (French grunt)

- *[Haemulon macrostomum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_macrostomum&action=edit&redlink=1)* Günther, 1859 (Spanish grunt)

- *[Haemulon maculicauda](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_maculicauda&action=edit&redlink=1)* (T. N. Gill, 1862) (spottail grunt)

- *[Haemulon melanurum](/source/Haemulon_melanurum)* ([Linnaeus](/source/Carl_Linnaeus), 1758) (cottonwick grunt)

- *[Haemulon parra](/source/Haemulon_parra)* ([Desmarest](/source/Anselme_Ga%C3%ABtan_Desmarest), 1823) (sailor's grunt)

- *[Haemulon plumierii](/source/Haemulon_plumierii)* ([Lacépède](/source/Bernard_Germain_de_Lac%C3%A9p%C3%A8de), 1801) (white grunt)

- *[Haemulon schrankii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_schrankii&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Agassiz](/source/Louis_Agassiz), 1831

- *[Haemulon sciurus](/source/Haemulon_sciurus)* ([G. Shaw](/source/George_Shaw_(biologist)), 1803) (bluestriped grunt)

- *[Haemulon scudderii](/source/Haemulon_scudderii)* T. N. Gill, 1862 (grey grunt)

- *[Haemulon serrula](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_serrula&action=edit&redlink=1)* G. Cuvier, 1830

- *[Haemulon sexfasciatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_sexfasciatum&action=edit&redlink=1)* T. N. Gill, 1862 (greybar grunt)

- *[Haemulon squamipinna](/source/Haemulon_squamipinna)* [L. A. Rocha](/source/Luiz_A._Rocha) & [I. M. L. Rosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ierec%C3%AA_Maria_de_Lucena_Rosa&action=edit&redlink=1), 1999

- *[Haemulon steindachneri](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_steindachneri&action=edit&redlink=1)* ([D. S. Jordan](/source/David_Starr_Jordan) & [C. H. Gilbert](/source/Charles_Henry_Gilbert), 1882) (chere-chere grunt)

- *[Haemulon striatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_striatum&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Linnaeus, 1758) (striped grunt)

- *[Haemulon vittatum](/source/Haemulon_vittatum)* (Poey, 1860) (boga)

## Description

Fish of this genus are oblong in shape and have large mouths.[4] They have scales over the rays of their second dorsal and anal fins, and the second anal spine is larger than the third. The inside of the mouth is usually bright red.[1] Juveniles of the genus look similar to each other, but the variation in the appearance of the adults is great.[5]

## Diet

Some *Haemulon* species eat [plankton](/source/Plankton) in the open water, but most seek small prey on the seabed.[5] Fish of the grunt family are nocturnal feeders, venturing in [schools](/source/Shoaling_and_schooling) from the cover of the reefs around sunset to find food. The schools disperse as individuals go hunting, and then reform as morning approaches and they prepare to return to the reef.[6]

## Behaviour

*Haemulon* species are common members of shallow reef fish communities in their range. Their schools can have hundreds[7] or thousands[2] of fish, including adults and juveniles. Schools can be made up of several different *Haemulon* species;[7] for example, *[H. squamipinna](/source/Haemulon_squamipinna)* and *[H. aurolineatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haemulon_aurolineatum&action=edit&redlink=1)* may associate with each other.[1][7] *Haemulon* spp. have also been observed in schools with grunts of other genera, such as *[Anisotremus virginicus](/source/Anisotremus_virginicus)*, and fish of different families, such as the [snapper](/source/Lutjanidae) *[Lutjanus alexandrei](/source/Brazilian_Snapper)*, the [goatfish](/source/Goatfish) *[Pseudupeneus maculatus](/source/Pseudupeneus_maculatus)*, and the [jack](/source/Carangidae) *[Carangoides bartholomaei](/source/Yellow_jack)*.[7] Other fish tend to join large *Haemulon* schools for protection. Sometimes they join a school simply for the protection offered by a large mass of fish, but some species engage in protective [mimicry](/source/Mimicry) in a school. Unrelated fish that resemble *Haemulon* in color, size, and shape join the school to hide from predators, even mimicking the swimming style, movements, and postures of the *Haemulon*. Fish that do this include the goatfish *[Mulloidichthys martinicus](/source/Yellow_goatfish)*, the [parrotfish](/source/Parrotfish) *[Sparisoma axillare](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sparisoma_axillare&action=edit&redlink=1)*, and the [herring](/source/Clupeidae) *[Harengula clupeola](/source/Harengula_clupeola)*.[7] *M. martinicus*, in particular, stays with groups of its own species while sheltering in the reefs, but when it enters the open water column and becomes visible to predators, it tends to join schools of *[Haemulon chrysargyreum](/source/Haemulon_chrysargyreum)*, which it closely resembles. It assumes the posture of the grunts and blends into the group.[8]

Despite their general preference for close association with other fish, some *Haemulon* spp. can be [territorial](/source/Territory_(animal)) and display aggressive behaviors. Larger individuals are more likely to act aggressively, and this behavior is more common at certain times of the day, such as early morning.[2]

Like other members of their family, these fish produce a grunting sound by grinding their [pharyngeal teeth](/source/Pharyngeal_teeth), the behavior which inspired their common name.[5]

The [spawning](/source/Spawning) behavior of these fish has not been observed.[5]

## Systematics

*Haemulon* is split by some authorities into two genera, these workers suggest that *Haemulon* *[sensu lato](/source/Sensu_lato)* is polyphyletic because molecular studies showed that *H. chrysargyreum* clustered with *[Xenistius californiensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Xenistius_californiensis&action=edit&redlink=1)*, rendering *Haemulon* as [polyphyletic](/source/Polyphyly) if *[Xenistius](/source/Xenistius)* was not included.[9] The genus *[Brachygenys](/source/Brachygenys)* Poey, 1868 was revived to include *Xenistius californiensis*, *Haemulon chrysargyreum*, *[Xenistius peruanus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Xenistius_peruanus&action=edit&redlink=1)* and *[Xenocys jessiae](/source/Xenocys_jessiae)*.[10]

## See also

- *[Haemulon vittata](/source/Haemulon_vittata)*

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rocha_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rocha_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-rocha_1-2) Rocha, L. A. and I. L. Rosa. (1999). [New species of *Haemulon* (Teleostei: Haemulidae) from the northeastern Brazilian coast.](http://www.luizrocha.com/academic/Publications_files/Haemulon.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140107040638/http://www.luizrocha.com/academic/Publications_files/Haemulon.pdf) 2014-01-07 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *Copeia* (1999)2 447–52.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-per2_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-per2_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-per2_2-2) Pereira, P. H. C. and B. P. Ferreira. (2012). [Agonistic behaviour among *Haemulon* spp. (Actinopterygii: Haemulidae) and other coral reef fishes in northeastern Brazil.](http://www.pereiraphc.com/images/pdf/publicacoes/9_Agonistic_behaviour.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140107035601/http://www.pereiraphc.com/images/pdf/publicacoes/9_Agonistic_behaviour.pdf) 2014-01-07 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *Cybium* 36(2) 361–67.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-fb_3-0)** Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds. [*Haemulon*: Species.](http://www.fishbase.org/identification/SpeciesList.php?genus=Haemulon) FishBase. 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hong_4-0)** Hong, S. L. (1977). [Review of eastern Pacific *Haemulon* with notes on juvenile pigmentation.](https://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1443268?uid=3739560&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21102069479453) *Copeia* 1977(3) 493–501.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rocha2_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rocha2_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-rocha2_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-rocha2_5-3) Rocha, L. A., et al. (2008). [Historical biogeography and speciation in the reef fish genus *Haemulon* (Teleostei: Haemulidae).](http://stri.si.edu/sites/publications/PDFs/Rocha_etal_Lessios_2008_Haemulon_phylogenetics.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131217000255/http://www.stri.si.edu/sites/publications/PDFs/Rocha_etal_Lessios_2008_Haemulon_phylogenetics.pdf) 2013-12-17 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution* 48 918–28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-burke_6-0)** Burke, N. C. (1995). [Nocturnal foraging habitats of French and bluestriped grunts, *Haemulon flavolineatum* and *H. sciurus*, at Tobacco Caye, Belize.](https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF00001467.pdf#page-1) *Environmental Biology of Fishes* 42 365–74.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-per_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-per_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-per_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-per_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-per_7-4) Pereira, P. H. C., et al. (2011). [Mixed-species schooling behavior and protective mimicry involving coral reef fish from the genus *Haemulon* (Haemulidae).](http://www.scielo.br/pdf/ni/v9n4/aop3711.pdf) *Neotropical Ichthyology* 9(4) 741–46.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-kraj_8-0)** Krajewski, J. P., et al. (2004). [The association of the goatfish *Mulloidichthys martinicus* with the grunt *Haemulon chrysargyreum*: An example of protective mimicry.](http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v4n2/en/fullpaper?bn02704022004+en) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150923190528/http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v4n2/en/fullpaper?bn02704022004+en) 2015-09-23 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *Biota Neotropica* 4(2) 1–4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Tavera_9-0)** Tavera, J.J.P; A.A., Balart; E.F.; et al. (2012). ["Molecular phylogeny of grunts (Teleostei, Haemulidae), with an emphasis on the ecology, evolution, and speciation history of New World species"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3472276). *BMC Evolutionary Biology*. **12** (57): 57. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2012BMCEE..12...57T](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012BMCEE..12...57T). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1186/1471-2148-12-57](https://doi.org/10.1186%2F1471-2148-12-57). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [3472276](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3472276). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [22537107](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22537107).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Parenti_10-0)** Paolo Parenti (2019). ["An annotated checklist of the fishes of the family Haemulidae (Teleostei: Perciformes)"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332223321). *Iranian Journal of Ichthyology*. **6** (3): 150–196.

Taxon identifiers Haemulon Wikidata: Q772044 Wikispecies: Haemulon ADW: Haemulon BOLD: 7988 CoL: 4SJ6 GBIF: 2382500 iNaturalist: 49264 IRMNG: 1197431 ITIS: 169057 NCBI: 119374 Open Tree of Life: 527429 Paleobiology Database: 356289 WoRMS: 158806

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Haemulon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemulon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemulon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.