How Do You Spell HAEMULON MALANURUM?

1. Haemulon malanurum, commonly known as the blacktail grunt, is a species of fish belonging to the family Haemulidae. It is widely distributed throughout the Western Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

   The blacktail grunt has a moderately compressed body with a deep-sided shape, typical of the grunt family. It can reach a maximum length of approximately 25 centimeters (10 inches), although most individuals are usually smaller. Its coloration is quite distinctive, with a dark olive-brown to bluish-gray body, highlighted by narrow vertical bars along its sides. The species gets its name from the black spot located on the base of the tail fin.

   This fish species is primarily found in shallow coastal waters, close to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and rocky substrates. They are often observed in small groups, called schools, where they feed on a diet consisting mainly of small benthic invertebrates and plankton. Juvenile blacktail grunts can be observed in large numbers in seagrass beds, which serve as an important nursery habitat for their growth and survival.

   The blacktail grunt is commercially important for both recreational and local subsistence fishing. Its flesh is considered to be of good quality and it is often targeted by anglers for its value as a sportfish. Due to its widespread distribution and abundance, it is not currently classified as a threatened species.

Common Misspellings for HAEMULON MALANURUM