Fish Identification Photos: Raucous Grunt, Haemulopsis leuciscus: The Raucous Grunt (formerly, White Grunt) has an overall silver appearance that is characterized by its convex head profile and apparent “bump” on the head. The Raucous Grunt has a short snout with the mouth extending to the eyes. The outside edge of the upper gill cover is black. The Raucous Grunt has short pectoral fins, and overall, the fins are dusky with the exception that the pelvic fins are yellow.

The Raucous Grunt can be easily confused with several other grunts including the Elongate Grunt, Haemulopsis elongatus (very long snout with a straight head profile) and the Yellowstripe or Axil Grunt, Haemulopsis axillaries (long pectoral fins that reach the anus).

The Raucous Grunt is a member of the Haemulidae or Grunt Family which are known in Mexico as "burros." The Raucous Grunt is found in all Mexican waters along the Pacific side of Baja California south of Magdalena Bay, throughout the Gulf of California, and along the coast of the mainland,

it appears to be absent from around most of the oceanic islands.

The Raucous Grunt grows to a length of 14 inches and is generally found in the first 75 feet of the water column over sandy or mud bottoms.

The Raucous Grunt is viewed as good table fare but is generally small, impractical to fillet, and is not very abundant to be of significant interest.