Fish Identification Photos: The Shortfin Humpback Grunt is characterized by its slender body with noticeable "hump back,' overall silvery gray color, and a brown spot on each scale, giving the impression of dark oblique bands.

The lateral line is prominent.

The fins are yellowish, and the caudal fin is darker and has a dark spot at its base. Shortfin Humpback Grunt is one of several similar members of the Haemulidae or Grunt Family which are hard to differentiate.

The Shortfin Humpback Grunt is difficult to identify, being easily confused with several other grunts and especially the Brassy Grunt, Orthopristis chalceus (deeper body, distance between eye and mouth large, 10 to 11 anal rays).

The Shortfin Humpback Grunt is found in all Mexican waters east of Cabo San Lucas and is believed to be quite rare.

It grows to a length of about 15 inches and is found around rocky reefs in the first 100 feet of the water column. The Shortfin Humpback Grunt is viewed as excellent table fare but not available in abundance.

Shortfin Humpback Grunt, Microlepidotus brevipinnis: Caught from shore in the first hour of daylight, in May 2003, in 75-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 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 the small size, a “catch and release.” Description and photo courtesy John Snow.