The document describes the visual characteristics and differences between juvenile and adult forms of several species of grunt fish, including: bluestriped grunt, Caesar grunt, French grunt, white margate, black margate, sailor's choice, smallmouth grunt, Spanish grunt, tomtate, white grunt, and porkfish. Key details provided include coloration patterns, presence or absence of stripes/spots, and differences in body shape and fin color between juveniles and adults of each species.

1. Grunt Fish!!!
By: Paula Toalson

2. Adult
Juveniles would
have light tail and
rear dorsal fins.
The stripes are
brown instead
of blue

3. Adult
Blue stripes over yellow-gold
Juveniles would
have light tail and
rear dorsal fins.
The stripes are
brown instead
of blue

4. Dark tail and rear dorsal fins
Adult
Blue stripes over yellow-gold
Juveniles would
have light tail and
rear dorsal fins.
The stripes are
brown instead
of blue

5. Dark tail and rear dorsal fins
Bluestriped Grunt
Adult
Blue stripes over yellow-gold
Juveniles would
have light tail and
rear dorsal fins.
The stripes are
brown instead
of blue

6. Adult
Juveniles have a lighter
color instead of the darker
underbelly

7. Adult
Juveniles have a lighter
color instead of the darker
underbelly

8. Yellow to dark copper/bronze stripes
Adult
Juveniles have a lighter
color instead of the darker
underbelly

9. Yellow to dark copper/bronze stripes
Adult
Juveniles have a lighter
color instead of the darker Dusky rear dorsal, anal, and tail fins
underbelly

10. Ceasar Grunt Yellow to dark copper/bronze stripes
Adult
Juveniles have a lighter
color instead of the darker Dusky rear dorsal, anal, and tail fins
underbelly

11. Yellow Stripes below lateral line set on diagonal
Juveniles have a yellowish
tent but not yellow stripes
like the adult. Their scales
are clear looking

12. Yellow Stripes below lateral line set on diagonal
Juveniles have a yellowish
tent but not yellow stripes
like the adult. Their scales
are clear looking

13. Adult
Yellow Stripes below lateral line set on diagonal
Juveniles have a yellowish
tent but not yellow stripes
like the adult. Their scales
are clear looking

14. French Grunt
Adult
Yellow Stripes below lateral line set on diagonal
Juveniles have a yellowish
tent but not yellow stripes
like the adult. Their scales
are clear looking

15. White Margate
Adult
Small eyes with white iris

16. Black Margate
High Back Profile
Adult
Dark patch behind pectoral fins

17. Sailors Choice
Adult
Black spots on scales from numerous
Juvenile oblique stripes on body

18. Smallmouth Grunt
Adult
Yellow fins
Five or six
yellow stripes
Juvenile

19. Spanish Grunt
Bold black stripe Yellow-green dorsal hump
on upper body
Adult
Yellow saddle or spot on base of tail

20. Tomtate
Prominent yellow and bronze stripe run through
eye to base of tail; another thinner stripe on back
(they are really hard to see)
Fins pale
Adult
Black spot on base
of tail (not always
present)

21. White Grunt

22. Porkfish Two bold black diagonal bands on head
High back profile
Brilliant yellow head Black stripe on back
and midbody Adult
Spot at base of tail
Juvenile