Physical description:

The white grunt is silver-gray, with numerous blue and yellow stripes on the body and head. On some individuals the scales are tipped with bronze. The pectoral fins are chalky and the other fins are gray. The lining of the body cavity, or peritoneum, is black.

Biological description:

White grunt occur in tropical and warm-temperature waters, inhabiting irregular bottom areas of the continental shelf from Virginia to Brazil, including Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. White grunts are sexualy mature during their third year, or when they reach about 10 inches long. Spawning occurs in the late spring and summer. The species is reported to live as long as 13 years, attaining a length of 25 inches and weight of 8 pounds. White grunt are carnivores that feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates by rooting around in the sand and shell hash between rocky ledges and at the bases of coral formations.

South Atlantic Federal Regulations

(For areas three-200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)

Commercial:

Limited access permit required.

• Gear restrictions apply.

Recreational:

• Recreational retention limits apply. See updated Recreational Regulations Summary (pdf) in the Regulations by Species Announcements section.
• Gear restrictions apply.