Tropical Marine Aquarium Grunts
Grunts and Sweetlips for the Tropical Saltwater Aquarium
Jun 19, 2008
Fishes from the family Haemulidae are commonly known to aquarists as grunts. Unfortunately, many grunts are unsuitable for aquarium use, although there are a few that are quite hardy, interesting and attractive. There are currently 19 described genera in the Family Haemulidae, but the most commonly seen grunts in the hobby come from only three of them:
- Anisotremus (smallmouth grunts or porkfishes)
- Haemulon (grunts)
- Plectorhinchus (sweetlips)
Sweetlips
Sweetlips have a somewhat more rounded profile then grunts, and, of course, they have those lips. Sweetlips, indigenous to the Indo-Pacific, get their common name from their characteristicly fleshy lips. They are commonly seen in the aquarium trade as juveniles, and they commonly suffer as a result of being finicky eaters. In addition, few home aquarists have a suitably large aquarium in which to house the adults.
With high captive mortality and large adult size, why are sweetlips so frequently sold to home aquarists? The answer to this question has everything to do with their dazzling juvenile coloration and interesting, almost comical, swimming motion. What most home aquarists tend to forget is that, as this fish grows, that alluring juvenile coloration fades and the aquarist is left with a REALLY BIG fish that even the local fish store probably can’t take back even if they wanted to.
Grunts
In general, grunts are more suitable aquarium fishes than sweetlips. The grunts call both coasts of the tropical Americas home, and they are, in general, much hardier, less finicky and remain smaller than sweetlips. They are called grunts because they make a “grunting” noise using their pharyngeal teeth and swim bladder (some sweetlips “grunt” as well).
Some Species to Consider
If you decide to keep a member of the family Haemulidae in your aquarium, here are a few species to consider.
Anisotremus virginicus
Commonly called the Atlantic porkfish, this small-mouthed grunt is a commonly offered aquarium fish. Keep in mind it can grow to 15 inches, and the adult will need an aquarium of at least 175 gallons with plenty of swimming room. This fish, like most grunts, feeds on a variety of bottom dwelling crustaceans. Juveniles are facultative cleaners and will pick parasites off other fishes. The juveniles lack the characteristic black bars and stripes seen on adult Atlantic porkfish.
Haemulon chrysargyreum
The smallmouth grunt from the tropical West Atlantic is one of the better grunts for the home aquarium, as it only grows to about nine inches. Keep this fish in a tank that is at least 135 gallons and preferably with other smallmouth grunts.
Haemulon flavolineatum
Scott Michael cites the French Grunt as “the perfect aquarium fish for that extra-large home aquarium. It grows to just shy of one foot in length, is boldly colored, hardy, and an eager eater.” If you have a large enough aquarium, keep several of these gorgeous Atlantic fishes together.
Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides
The harlequin sweetlips, sometimes called the clown sweetlips, is surely the most common sweetlips offered to hobbyists. This is unfortunate as it rarely lives for any length of time in the home aquarium. While strikingly colored as a juvenile, this Indo-Pacific fish loses its coloration and grows to nearly 40 inches. Leave this fish in the sea.
Plectorhinchus gaterinus
If you insist on keeping a sweetlips, seriously consider the black-spotted rubberlips from the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea. While a finicky feeder, it is the hardiest of the sweetlips. Beware, this fish can grow to nearly two feet in length and needs a 250-gallon or larger aquarium.
Conclusion
The grunts (including the sweetlips) are not, on the whole, great aquarium fishes. If you have a large aquarium, however, there are several species that can be hardily recommended.
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