The Cottonwick Grunt (*Haemulon melanurum*) is a small, schooling reef fish native to the western Atlantic Ocean, most commonly found in the Caribbean Sea and along the coasts of Florida, the Bahamas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Recognizable by its silver body with yellow stripes and a distinctive black spot at the base of its tail, the Cottonwick Grunt is an important species for local artisanal fisheries rather than large-scale commercial operations. The top countries harvesting this species include Cuba, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean nations such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, where it is caught primarily with handlines, traps, and small nets for local consumption and the tourism trade. While not a major export species, the Cottonwick Grunt contributes to the livelihoods of coastal communities and the diversity of the region’s seafood offerings. Sustainable management is essential, as these fish play a key role in reef ecosystems and are susceptible to overfishing due to their schooling behavior and habitat preferences.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.