Sailor’s Choice

Sailors Choice

The Sailor's Choice has a relatively large, silvery to pearly gray body, often with a subtle hint of yellow, and thin, dark diagonal stripes formed by small black spots on its scales. It has a large eye accented by a prominent yellow or bronze ring. Its fins are generally dark, sometimes appearing dusky or blackish, except for the pectoral fins, which are noticeably lighter and often translucent.

The Sailor's Choice is often found swimming alone or in small, loose groups over open areas like sandy bottoms and seagrass beds. It eats mainly small, bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as shrimp. It is believed to be a pelagic spawner, releasing eggs into the water column. Like many grunts, it can make a grunting sound by rubbing together the flat teeth located in its throat, a sound that is amplified by its swim bladder.