Our Predator Exhibit has some newcomers! As we have just said farewell to ragged-tooth sharks Judd and Samtu, we have welcomed a school of eight spotted grunters into the exhibit. While not as colossal as their fellow predators, these grunters sure add some flair to their cold-ocean community!

They've only been here for a short time - but we can tell that you've already become completely enamoured with them!

What is a spotted grunter?

Spotted grunters (Pomadasys commersonnii) are large silver fish, characterised by small pointy mouths, sloped foreheads and serrated gill covers and fins (when extended). Most notable is the multitude of small black spots that cover their sides and backs, but not their faces. 

They can grow up to 90cm long, and thrive in a variety of environments, but particularly favour shallow, sandy waters. They have a wide range, from Cape Point, east along the coast all the way to India! They rely on estuaries and river mouths for spawning their young, and are one of the larger marine fish that are able to tolerate brackish, and even fresh water.

The whole family of fish that they belong to, "grunters", are known for being able to make very loud noises when distressed, by rubbing their teeth together.

Will the sharks eat them?

It's always a possibility, but there is a secret that our sharks don't want you to know ... they are very lazy! In nature, ragged-tooth sharks are opportunistic hunters that preferentially target fish that are already sick, injured or weakened in some way. If they don't need to expend energy unnecessarily, they won't.

The sharks in the Two Oceans Aquarium are regularly fed, and our divers keep track of how much each individual shark eats. Still (as some of you have noticed) the occasional fish does have poor enough luck to be snapped up by a passing raggy. Fortunately, spotted grunters have a trick up their sleeve that the giant kob in the exhibit don't.

Spotted grunters are fast! As a school, they have no problem staying far away from the sharks (and the grumpy-looking yellowbelly rockcod).

Will they eat the sharks?

Not a chance. Although they are predators, grunters feed on prawns, crabs, worms and other benthic animals. They unearth their prey by blowing jets of water into the sand or mud to dislodge them. 

In fact, in waters frequented by spotted grunters, it is not uncommon to see their tails sticking out of the water - their heads scouring the seafloor for prawns.

Should you eat them?

Spotted grunters are on the WWF SASSI Red-list - it is illegal to buy or sell them in South Africa. Rather appreciate these animals for their beauty than as a snack! If you are ever in doubt about what fish you should and shouldn't eat - check out the WWF SASSI app.