Galápagos Grunt

The Galápagos Grunt is a stocky, silvery fish found in the waters around the Galápagos Islands, typically in rocky reef and sandy-bottom habitats at modest depths. It is named for the audible grunting sounds it produces by grinding its pharyngeal teeth—a behaviour that becomes more pronounced when the fish is stressed or disturbed. Divers will recognise it by its compressed body shape and somewhat blunt snout. The species is generally wary but can be approached slowly and carefully.