Fish Identification Photos: Golden Eye Grunt, Grey Grunt, Mojarra Grunt, Haemulon scudderi: The Golden Eye Grunt is characterized by its large golden eye and its overall silver-gray appearance. The Golden Eye Grunt's scales are each tipped with one small black dot, and there is no dark spot at the base of the caudal fin. Fins vary from whitish to black.

The Golden Eye Grunt might be confused with the Bronze Striped Grunt, Orthopristis reddingi (orange-brown lines on the sides), the Burrito Grunt, Anisotremus interruptus (yellow sheen, scale centers black giving a spotted pattern, yellow fins), or the Latin Grunt, Haemulon steindachneri (oblique brown lines on sides, black spot at base of caudal fin, yellow fins).

The Golden Eye Grunt is a member of the Haemulidae or Grunt Family which are known in Mexico as "burros." In Mexican waters, the Golden Eye Grunt is found south of Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, and as far north as Santa Rosalia along the Sea of Cortez Coast. On mainland Mexico, it is found from Guaymas to Guatemala.

The Golden Eye Grunt grows to a length of just over one foot and is generally found around inshore rocky reefs in the first 100 feet of the water column. The Golden Eye Grunt is viewed as good table fare but is quite rare and also small, making preparation questionable since they are usually too small to fillet.

Golden Eye Grunt, Haemulon scudderii: Caught from shore in the last hour of daylight, in May 2003, in 77-degree water, inside the breaker line, utilizing a 15-pound test fish finder rig, 1.5-ounce barrel sinker, swivel, 3 feet of 15-pound test and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #4, on cut squid at Km. 22 (Cabo Real), between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 12 inches and 1 pound and was an energetic foe. Viewed by locals as excellent table fare if large enough to fillet. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.