Burrito grunt (Anisotremus interruptus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Haemulidae · Genus: Anisotremus.

Accepted name: Anisotremus interruptus · Authority: (Gill, 1862) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 279619.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Genytremus interruptus Gill, 1862.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=279619 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Anisotremus interruptus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 51 cm · Common length: 30 cm · Depth range: 3–30 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 57.6 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Solitary and found hiding in reefs and caves during the day (Ref. 9114). Juveniles appear in late summer and swim in schools. A nocturnal feeder on reef invertebrates (Ref. 9114). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9114).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 8253) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Anisotremus-interruptus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

651 georeferenced occurrence records for Anisotremus interruptus are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 87 distinct locations from a sample of 651 records, omitting 50 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Mexico (325); Ecuador (220); Costa Rica (45); Panama (42); Colombia (12); Peru (6); El Salvador (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2382602) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2382602&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=279619 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Anisotremus interruptus (Gill, 1862) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 225274038) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/225274038/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2382602) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2382602/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The burrito grunt has a deep, compressed body with a high back. The head is short and blunt with a small, low, horizontal mouth which has fleshy lips and jaws which are equipped with bands of teeth. The outer band of teeth are conical in shape. The back is silvery, yellowish brown fading to cream or white in the underparts. The scales on the flanks have dark centres creating a spotted effect with yellowish fins. The dorsal fin is continuous but has a deep notch. The dorsal fin has 12-13 spines, the fourth being longer than the rest, and 16-17 rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines, with the second being notably robust and long, and 8-9 soft rays. The pectoral fins are long, extending to the origin of the anal fins. The caudal fin is forked. This species attains a maximum total length of 51 cm, although 30 cm is more common. The largest weight recorded is 4.53 kg.

The burrito grunt is found in the eastern Pacific Oceans from central Baja and the Gulf of California to Peru and the Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, Malpelo Island and the Revillagigedo Islands, it is, however, absent from Clipperton Island.

The burrito grunt can be found at depths of 3 to 30 m (usually not below 12 m) on reefs, shoals spend the day hiding in crevices or caves during coming out at night to feed. it feeds largely on benthic invertebrates.

The burrito grunt was first formally described in 1862 as Genytremus interruptus by the American ichthyologist Theodore Nicholas Gill (1837-1914) with the type locality given as Baja California. The specific name interruptus means "broken", a reference to the broken line on the flanks of juveniles.

The burrito grunt is not abundant enough to be a target of commercial fisheries but when it is caught its flesh is said to palatable.

Source: Wikipedia: Burrito grunt — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrito_grunt (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

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