Sweetlip (Grunt)
Blackspotted sweetlip (Derek Keats / CC BY)
Sweetlips (Haemulidae) are characterized by their thick fleshy lips. They resemble snappers, but are generally smaller and have no fang–like teeth. Sweetlips are also called “grunts” in many regions because they make noises by grinding their teeth plates. Note that the common sweetlip emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) is not a member of the sweetlip family, but of the emperors (Lethrinidae).
This supplemental online resource accompanies the book Scuba Diving Hand Signals by Lars Behnke, available on
Amazon.