📖 Overview
During the day, it occurs in large schools that slowly move to the boarders of reefs . At nightfall, they move offshore and divide into smaller schools to feed . Feeds on mollusks and crustaceans . Marketed fresh .
Scientific Name
Microlepidotus inornatus
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
🐟 Physical Description
: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Wavyline grunt is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus
🥚 Reproduction
🐣 Oviparous
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated. Subtropical; 28°N - 18°N Central Pacific: Baja California to Mazatlan in Mexico; stragglers reach southern California, USA.
🌍 Native Range
1 countries
Mexico
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
🪸 Reef Associated
🐠 Schooling
Food Items
mollusks and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.01096 × L2.95
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
43.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Wavyline grunt is an edible species."
✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age Firm flesh that springs back when pressed Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
Cloudy or sunken eyes Strong fishy or ammonia odour Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking
Grilling
Pan-frying
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
Nutrient
Amount
Protein
20 g
Omega-3 (total)
205 mg
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Wavyline grunt has not yet been
assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g
- Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
Proximate Composition
Energy 125 kcal
Moisture 75 %
Protein 20 %
Total Fat 4 %
Ash 1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat 1 g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5 g
Omega-3 Total 1 g
EPA 0.3 g
DHA 0.5 g
Omega-6 Total 0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium 20 mg
Iron 0.7 mg
Magnesium 30 mg
Phosphorus 220 mg
Potassium 380 mg
Sodium 55 mg
Zinc 0.5 mg
Selenium 32 µg
Vitamin B12 2 µg
📊 Population Dynamics
Year
Region
Index
Notes
-
-
-
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
Scientific Name
Author
Year
Status
Orthopristis inornatus
Gill
1862
Synonym
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 17 records indexed
.