Top Tomtate Grunt Fishing Countries

The Tomtate grunt (*Haemulon aurolineatum*) is a small, silvery reef fish found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina and Bermuda through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean down to Brazil. Recognizable by its yellowish horizontal stripes and a distinctive dark spot at the base of the tail, the tomtate is an important species in coastal reef ecosystems. While not a primary target for large-scale commercial fisheries, tomtate grunts are commonly caught as bycatch in mixed reef fish fisheries and are also popular among recreational anglers. The top countries harvesting tomtate grunt include the United States (especially Florida and the Gulf Coast), Cuba, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean nations such as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In these regions, the tomtate is often used as bait for larger game fish or consumed locally, contributing modestly to local fisheries and subsistence fishing economies.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.