Haemulopsis nitidus (Steindachner, 1869)
Shining grunt
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Haemulinae
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Peru.
Diagnosis:  Body robust, compressed, and not very deep (depth contained 2.7 to 3.3 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 17 to 20 gill rakers; dorsal fin notched, with 12 spines ad 14 to 15 soft rays (XII, 14-15); second anal spine shorter than third; body silvery bronzed; scales dark edged, forming longitudinal lines along each series of scales; anterior end of lateral line with an indistinct spot (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Inhabits coastal seas, on sandy or muddy bottoms. Marketed fresh (Ref. 9114).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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