The bluestriped grunt boasts a distinctive appearance with its deep, almond-shaped body and a moderately convex dorsal profile. Its upper jaw extends beneath the center of the eye, and the scales above the lateral line are enlarged, while those underneath it form a diagonal pattern. This species showcases vibrant yellow coloration, adorned with thin, longitudinal blue stripes running along its body. Notably, a gracefully arched stripe can be observed below each eye. The bluestriped grunt exhibits an enchanting contrast in its fins, with the spiny part of the dorsal fin being yellow, the soft-rayed part and the caudal fin being dark, the anal fin being sooty yellow, and the pelvic and pectoral fins being whitish. Moreover, its vivid red mouth creates a stunning visual accent. As the bluestriped grunt matures, it undergoes a transformation in coloration, transitioning from distinct juvenile markings to the captivating adult appearance. With a maximum length of 46 cm (18 in), although typically around 25 cm (9.8 in), this species showcases a remarkable size range.
The bluestriped grunt inhabits the western Atlantic Ocean, with its range extending from South Carolina and Bermuda south along the coast of the United States to the Bahamas. It can also be found in the Gulf of Mexico, from the Florida Keys north to Cedar Key, and along the northern coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula to northwestern Cuba. Furthermore, the bluestriped grunt thrives in the Caribbean Sea, encompassing a wide distribution across the region.
Intriguingly, the bluestriped grunt prefers shallow waters, typically inhabiting depths ranging from 1 to 40 meters (3 ft 3 in to 131 ft 3 in). This species demonstrates an affinity for diverse habitats, including mangroves, coral reefs, and sea grass beds. Adult bluestriped grunts gather in small schools above coral and rocky beds, frequently near drop-offs. On the other hand, juvenile grunts are commonly found in turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) beds within shallow waters. Their foraging activities predominantly occur during the night, as they search for smaller fish, crustaceans, and bivalves in sea-grass beds and mangrove areas. During the day, bluestriped grunts seek refuge in rocky zones. While the exact details of their spawning behavior remain relatively unknown, it is observed to take place between January and April in the Caribbean Sea. As the bluestriped grunt larvae grow into juveniles, they settle within sea-grass beds at lengths ranging from 9 to 17 mm (0.35 to 0.67 in). These remarkable fish engage in intriguing territorial displays, involving open-mouthed head-on pushing, and produce distinctive grunting noises using their pharyngeal teeth. Predators of the bluestriped grunt include larger fish such as sharks and groupers, while their known parasites include the monogenean species Encotyllabe spari.
First formally described as Sparus sciurus by the English zoologist George Shaw in 1803, the bluestriped grunt belongs to the family Haemulidae. The species epithet "sciurus" derives from the squirrelfish, one of the vernacular names given to this remarkable fish, likely due to its characteristic grunting sounds.
The bluestriped grunt is primarily caught using various fishing methods, including hook and line, traps, and seines. Although the catch is not typically recorded separately for this species, its flesh is highly valued and commonly sold fresh. While the bluestriped grunt is rare in the aquarium trade, it is frequently featured in public aquarium displays, owing to its appealing size and captivating appearance.