Haemulon aurolineatum

Haemulon aurolineatum
Tomtate – Haemulon aurolineatum
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
HaemulidaeHaemulon aurolineatumCuvier1830Tomtate

Haemulon aurolineatum

Unique Characters: Narrow, bronze yellow mid-lateral stripe, often wider anteriorly; other faint yellow stripes may also be present. Black botch usually present at base of caudal fin. Soft portions of dorsal and anal fins densely scaled nearly to margins. In fresh specimens, inner lining of mouth typically red. Dorsal fin with 13 spines and 14-16 (usually 15) soft rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9 soft rays. Base of caudal fin usually with dark brown or black spot. Scale rows below lateral line typically parallel to long axis of body.

Similar Species:

Striped Grunt Haemulon striatum

White Grunt
Haemulon plumieri

Bluestriped Grunt Haemulon sciurus

Haemulon striatum
Striped Grunt – Haemulon striatum
Haemulon plumierii
White Grunt – Haemulon plumierii
Haemulon sciurus
Bluestriped Grunt – Haemulon sciurus

Striped Grunt Haemulon striatum. Soft portions of dorsal and anal fins densely scaled nearly to margins. In fresh specimens, inner lining of mouth typically red. Dorsal-fin spines 13 or 14. Base of caudal fin without dark spot. Scale rows below lateral line typically oblique to long axis of body. Normally 5 yellow to brown longitudinal stripes on body, none ventrally. Dorsal-fin soft rays typically 13 or 14, range 12-15. Anal-fin soft rays typically 8, range of 7-9.

White Grunt Haemulon plumieri. Soft portions of dorsal and anal fins densely scaled nearly to margins. In fresh specimens, inner lining of mouth typically red. Dorsal-fin spines 12. Scales above anterior lateral line approximately twice the size of those below. Dark stripes on head, only faint stripes on body. Dorsal and caudal fins brown-grey to pale yellow.

Bluestriped Grunt Haemulon sciurus. Soft portions of dorsal and anal fins densely scaled nearly to margins. In fresh specimens, inner lining of mouth typically red. Dorsal-fin spines 12. Approximately equal-sized scales above and below lateral line. Many blue stripes along length of upper and lower body. Portion of dorsal and caudal fins black.

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