Haemulon sexfasciatum Gill, 1862
Greybar grunt
Haemulon sexfasciatum
photo by BĂ©arez, P.

Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Haemulinae
Max. size:  71 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,260.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 30 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California to Panama.
Diagnosis:  Body oblong, compressed and not very deep (depth contained 2.9 to 3.3 times in standard length ); mouth large and terminal, its posterior end located under the anterior rim of the eye; first gill arch with 18 to 22 gill rakers; dorsal fin notched, with 11 to 12 spines and 16 to 18 soft rays (XI-XII, 16-18); second anal spine slightly longer and stronger than third; scale series above lateral line oblique; juveniles with 3 vertical bars and a caudal spot that disappears with age; adults with 6 or 7 dark gray vertical bars on a yellowish body; head with a dark spot behind the eye (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Forms schools in coastal reefs during the day but disperses at night in search for food. Often feed by digging in sand (Ref. 5227).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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