Wavyline Grunt

Microlepidotus inornatus

The Wavyline Grunt is a reef-associated fish found primarily in the Eastern Central Pacific, ranging from Baja California to Mazatlan in Mexico. Occasionally, stragglers are spotted as far north as southern California, USA. During daylight hours, the Wavyline Grunt is often seen in large schools that patrol the edges of reefs. As night falls, these schools disperse into smaller groups that venture offshore to feed. The diet of the Wavyline Grunt consists mainly of mollusks and crustaceans. This feeding behavior is typically nocturnal, aligning with their movement patterns away from the reefs at night. Reproduction in this species is oviparous, with distinct pairing observed during the breeding season. Divers encountering the Wavyline Grunt will likely see them in shallow waters, as all recorded observations occur at depths shallower than 40 meters, with the majority being even shallower than 10 meters. The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. For those diving in its range, the Wavyline Grunt offers a glimpse into the dynamic life of reef fish, especially during their schooling behavior around reef borders.