Cottonwick

The Cottonwick has a silvery-gray body with yellow stripes running from its snout to its tail. A stripe starts at the snout and runs through the eye. The stripe may be darker at the front. The dorsal fin has a prominent dark stripe that extends along the back to the tail, which is black with white edges.

The Cottonwick is often found in small groups near seagrass beds or sandy areas. It is active at night or during dawn and dusk, feeding on crustaceans, sea stars, and even sea urchins. During the breeding season, it forms distinct pairs and lays eggs. It also makes a grunting sound by grinding its teeth together, a behavior common among many species in the Grunt family.