| Family | Scientific Name | Author | Year | Common Name |
| Haemulidae | Haemulon melanurum | (Linnaeus) | 1758 | Cottonwick |
Haemulon melanurum
Unique Characteristics: Bronze to yellow stripes on head and sides. Black band runs from nape along dorsal profile to caudal fin. Lower portion of dorsal fin black. 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. Black stripe extends along upper body from below anterior dorsal fin to both lobes of caudal fin. Less than 8 faint yellow stripes.
Similar Species:
White Grunt
Haemulon plumieri
Bluestriped Grunt
Haemulon sciurus
White Grunt Haemulon plumieri. Head with narrow, alternating, blue and yellow wavy lines 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. Many blue stripes along length of upper and lower body. Portion of dorsal and caudal fins black. 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.
Striped Grunt
Haemulon striatum
Tomtate
Haemulon aurolineatum
Striped Grunt Haemulon striatum. Normally 5 yellow to brown longitudinal stripes on body, none ventrally. 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.
Tomtate Haemulon aurolineatum. 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.
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