Fish Identification Photos: Cortez Grunt, Yellow-Spotted Grunt, Haemulon flaviguttatum: The Cortez Grunt is characterized by characterized by a pearly blue spot on each body scale, an overall silver gray appearance, and yellow fins, except for the tail which is dark with yellow trim.

The Cortez Grunt might be confused with either the Latin Grunt, Haemulon steindachneri (oblique brown lines on sides and a black spot at the base of the caudal fin), or the Spottail Grunt, Haemulon maculicauda (overall dark gray appearance with pale lines on sides with gray anal and dorsal fins).

The Cortez Grunt is a member of the Haemulidae or Grunt Family which are known in Mexico as "burros." The Cortez Grunt is found in all Mexican waters south of Bahia San Juanico on the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula to Guatemala.

It grows to a length of just over one foot and is generally found around inshore rocky reefs and in caves in the first 50 feet of the water column.

It is caught on rare occasions during daylight hours and is often found in the presence of the Waveline Grunt, Microlepidotus inornatus.

The Cortez Grunt is viewed as good table fare but generally is small and impractical to fillet.

Cortez Grunt, Haemulon flaviguttatum: Caught from shore in the first hour of daylight, in September 2003, in 85-degree water, along the rock line and in the surge zone, with pounding surf in 10-foot deep water, utilizing a 15-pound test with a 1-ounce barrel sinker, fish finder rig with swivel, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #6, on cut squid at Km. 21 (Cabo Real), between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 8 inches and three-fourths of a pound. Due to its small size, the Cortez Grunt is a “catch and release.” Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Cortez Grunt, Haemulon flaviguttatum: A male Cortez Grunt. Length 14 inches, Punta Colorada, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico, caught with a Rapala, 8-pound line, from my panga, June 2000. A very brave little fish on light tackle. I had never discovered them until June 2000. Looking over the edge of my panga, it turned out there were thousands of them at that particular time and place. Description and photo courtesy Peter Langstraat; fish identification courtesy Neff Nash.