Mojarra Bacocco
Haemulan Sexfasclatum
The Graybar Grunt has a moderately elongated bodies with an elevated compressed back and a depth that is 36% to 38% of standard length. They have 5 or 6 prominent vertical black bars that cover the upper two-thirds of their sides. The spaces between these bars are white to yellow and the remainder of their head and body is silvery white. Their head and bars are covered with small black spots. Their anal and pelvic fins are transparent, Juveniles have dark mid-lateral stripes that converge with a black spot on their caudal fin base; they also have 2 dark stripes, the first running from the snout to the dorsal fin origin and the second from the upper margin of the eye to the dorsal surface of the tail base. Their anal fin has 3 spines and 9 or 10 rays; their caudal fin is forked; and, their dorsal fin is continuous with a small notch with 11 or 12 spines and 16 to 18 rays. They have 18 to 22 gill rakers. They are covered with scales.
The Graybar Grunt is found in various locations including sand, rubble, and rocky reefs at depths up to 30 m (100 feet). They are very abundant in some sections of the Gulf forming huge daytime aggregations around rocky reefs. They reach a maximum of 71 cm (2 feet 4 inches) in length and 4.0 kg (8 lbs 13 oz) in weight.