Orthopristis chalceus (Günther, 1864)
Brassy grunt
Orthopristis chalceus
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Haemulinae
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 60 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Panama, including the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  Body short, compressed, and not very deep (depth contained 2.5 to 3.0 times in standard length); mouth small and terminal, its posterior end located at the same level as the anterior rim of the eye; first gill arch with 19 to 24 gill rakers; dorsal fin very slightly notched, with 12 to 13 spines and 14 to 15 soft rays (XII-XIII, 14-15); second anal spine stronger than third but of equal length; scale series above lateral line oblique; body silvery gray, with wavy, interrupted, gold or copper colored lines that follow the oblique scale series above the lateral line and that run horizontally below it (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Inhabits sand and gravel bottoms of coastal waters (Ref. 9114). Important food fish (Ref. 9114).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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