Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Haemulidae
- Genus
- Pomadasys
- Species
- Maculatus
Habitat
Saddle grunts inhabit shallow coastal waters, including sandy or muddy bottoms near reefs, estuaries, and mangroves in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. They prefer warm tropical and subtropical regions with depths up to 100 meters. These areas provide ample cover and food sources.
Diet
Saddle grunts primarily feed on small crustaceans, polychaete worms, and occasionally small fish or mollusks. They are nocturnal foragers, using their sensitive barbels to detect prey in the sediment. Feeding typically occurs at night in groups over the ocean floor.
Behavior
Saddle grunts are schooling fish that form loose groups during the day and become more active at night for feeding. They exhibit territorial behavior around feeding areas and produce grunting sounds to communicate or ward off threats. These fish are generally cautious and quick to flee from predators.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.