---
title: Grunts (Haemulidae)
scientific_name: Haemulidae
common_name: Grunts
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:26:36.677Z
tags: Grunts, Haemulidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts
---

# Grunts (*Haemulidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Haemulidae
- **Body shape:** Oval - Egg-shaped body, deeper than it is thick - damselfishes, surgeonfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 7

## How to recognise this group

- oval, compressed body
- medium to large size (20-80 cm)
- daytime aggregations resting under ledges or in caves

Haemulidae, commonly known as grunts, are reef fishes with oblong, compressed bodies. They typically reach 20 to 80 cm (8 to 31 in) in length. Many species display distinct patterns of stripes or spots, often over silver, grey, or yellow base colours, with juveniles frequently showing significantly different markings. Their common name derives from the sound produced by grinding their pharyngeal teeth.

Grunts inhabit coral reefs, rocky areas, and sandy bottoms, found from shallow depths to about 100 m (330 ft). Most species form large, inactive aggregations during the day, commonly resting under ledges or in caves. At night, they disperse to feed on benthic invertebrates, including crustaceans, worms, and molluscs. Many species regularly visit cleaner stations for the removal of ectoparasites by cleaner gobies or shrimp.


## Species (7)

- [Blackspotted Rubberlip (Plectorhinchus gaterinus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts/blackspotted-rubberlip)
- [Giant Thicklip (Plectorhinchus albovittatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts/giant-thicklip)
- [Humpback Thicklip (Plectorhinchus gibbosus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts/humpback-thicklip)
- [Minstrel Thicklip (Plectorhinchus schotaf)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts/minstrel-thicklip)
- [Painted Thicklip (Diagramma punctatum)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts/painted-thicklip)
- [Sordid Thicklip (Plectorinchus sordidus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts/sordid-thicklip)
- [Yellowspotted Thicklip (Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts/yellowspotted-thicklip)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/grunts)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*