White grunt (Haemulon plumierii)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Haemulon plumierii · Authority: (Lacepède, 1801) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 158808.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Haemulon plumieri (Lacepède, 1801); Labrus plumierii Lacepède, 1801.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=158808 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 53 cm · Common length: 30 cm · Depth range: 3–40 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 61.8 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: public aquariums.

FishBase notes: Found in dense aggregations during the day on patch reefs, around coral formations, or on sandy bottoms (Ref. 9710). Juveniles common in Thalassia testudinum beds (Ref. 5217). Feeds on crustaceans, small mollusks, and small fishes. Frequently exhibits a territorial 'kissing' display in which two contenders push each other on the lips with their mouths wide open (Ref. 9710). Marketed fresh. Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35420).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 1140) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Haemulon-plumierii.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

82,870 georeferenced occurrence records for Haemulon plumierii are published through GBIF from 40 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 139 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 36 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: United States of America (71,989); Puerto Rico (4,967); Brazil (2,871); Mexico (664); Colombia (662).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2382537) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2382537&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=158808 (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 Haemulon plumierii (Lacepède, 1801) 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 190132) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/190132/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2382537) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2382537/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The white grunt is found near mangroves, reefs, docks, and nearly any sort of structure in its range, which extends in the Western Atlantic from Chesapeake Bay through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico south to Brazil. It normally lives in depths similar to that of its relative, the bluestriped grunt, from 0 to 30 m in depth.

This fish is closely related to the bluestriped grunt (H. sciurus) and the French grunt (H. flavolineatum). The white grunt is often seen schooling with those species. The familiar "grunt" that this fish makes is caused by its pharyngeal teeth grinding in the back of its throat. This sound is normally made when the fish is distressed or in danger, such as when being caught by an angler.

The white grunt is a silvery cream color with numerous yellow and blue horizontal stripes present across the body. Its head is long with a distinct snout, and falcate pectoral fins and a forked caudal tail are also present. H. plumieri also has numerous dorsal spines and rough teeth. Unlike groupers or snappers, grunts have a strong fixed lower jawbone. The average size of this fish is 6 to 12 inches, and H. plumieri often changes its color to its direct surroundings, becoming accordingly paler or darker. The white grunt has been observed to reach lengths over 20 inches and weights above 15 lb.

Although the natural diet of this fish largely consists of shrimp, they also feed upon annelids, crustaceans, and bivalves. Largely opportunistic, anglers have caught them on the whole spectrum of natural and artificial baits.

Large species of predatory fish such as barracuda and shark feed upon white grunts, as they are abundant and school in fairly large numbers. Other piscivorous fish such as groupers and snappers also eat H. plumieri.

H. plumierii was first formally described in 1801 as Labrus plumierii by French naturalist Bernard German de Lacépède (1756-1825), with the type locality given as Martinique. The specific name honours the Franciscan friar and naturalist Charles Plumier (1664–1704), Lacépède based his description of this species on a drawing by Plumier.

The white grunt has minor importance on the commercial scale, but is somewhat popular with children and beginners as game fish, and even experienced fishermen. Grunts are easy to catch and have white meat that cooks well, so they are sometimes caught to be eaten. A historic Florida dish, "grits and grunts", is traditionally prepared with H. plumieri. They also have bait value for large piscivorous fish. These fish also have high value as aquarium fish, due to their bright colors.

Source: Wikipedia: Haemulon plumierii — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemulon_plumierii (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Gallery