Haemulon scudderii Gill, 1862
Grey grunt
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Haemulinae
Max. size:  35 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 40 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  Body oblong, compressed, and deep (depth contained 2.3 to 2.7 times in standard length); mouth large and terminal, its posterior end located at the same level as the anterior edge of the pupil; first gill arch with 15 to 22 gill rakers; dorsal fin notched, with 11 to 12 spines and 14 to 17 soft rays (XI-XII, 14-17); second anal spine slightly longer and stronger than third; scale series above lateral line oblique; body silvery gray; each scale bearing a dark spot;; the spots appearing to form lines following the scale series; fins charcoal gray (Ref.. 55763).
Biology:  Forms schools above rocky, boulder strewn reefs, slopes, and hard substrate with good water movement (Ref. 5227).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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