The Cortez Grunt (Haemulon flaviguttatum) is a medium-sized marine fish found along the eastern Pacific coast, ranging from the Gulf of California to northern Peru. It typically inhabits rocky reefs, sandy bottoms, and areas near coral formations, often gathering in large schools during the day and dispersing at night to feed. The name grunt comes from the audible sounds these fishes produce. They generate the noise by grinding their pharyngeal teeth (specialized teeth located in the throat) and then amplifying it using their swim bladder, which acts like a resonating chamber.