rivulated mutton hamlet
Alphestes multiguttatus
Small grouper from shallow reefs of the eastern Pacific, with smooth scales and strong camouflage. It is hardly ever caught and has no interest for anglers.
Also called: garoupinha-listrada, garoupinha, guaseta rayada, Rivulated mutton hamlet
- maximum
- 30 cm
who is the rivulated mutton hamlet
The striped small grouper belongs to the family Epinephelidae and reaches 30 cm. It lives on rocky reefs and in shallow water of the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru, at depths of up to 30 m. It is sedentary: by day it hides in crevices or among algae, and sometimes covers itself with sand. At night it hunts crustaceans on the bottom. Body depth is much less than head length, and the eye is slightly larger than the snout. It has no interest for anglers.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the rivulated mutton hamlet; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It relies on camouflage to avoid being noticed and sometimes partly covers itself with sand.
identification
Smooth scales, rounded caudal fin and an eye slightly larger than the snout. Body depth is much less than head length. The rear edge of the preopercle is serrated, and a large spine covered in skin projects from the corner. Compare it with the Pacific coral grouper (Alphestes immaculatus), which has an eye almost the same size as the snout and a marbled reddish-brown body.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Lives in the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru.
Habitat: Rocky reefs and shallow water, down to 30 m.
when to fish
best time of day
Nighttime. It is nocturnal: by day it stays still among algae or hidden in crevices, and at night it hunts crustaceans on the bottom.
rules for the rivulated mutton hamlet
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Poses no danger to anglers. Because it is small, it can be released without problems.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01122, b = 3.04; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Alphestes multiguttatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Alphestes multiguttatusNames by country and language.
