| Family: |
Sparidae (Porgies) |
| Max. size: |
26.98 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 1 m |
| Distribution: |
Westerrn Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D X,11; A III,8; scale rows above lateral line 4½; scale rows between fifth dorsal-fin spine and lateral line 3½; suborbital width, 6-7% of SL; body is moderately deep. 40-45% of SL; head length 29-32% of SL; second anal fin spine 13-17% of SL. Colouration: anal fin yellowish grey or dusky grey, with posterior one-fifth of the fin light yellow; no black streaks on inter-radial membranes of the anal fin; caudal fin light yellow with a broad black posterior margin (approximately half of the fin); no vertical bands on body or weak if present with four horizontal scale rows wide; a distinct black spot on the upper base of pectoral fin; a diffuse black blotch at the origin of lateral line covering the upper part of the cleithrum (Ref. 130194). |
| Biology: |
Collected using conventional hook-and-line gear and a tidal trap. Known from the mangrove-adjacent sandflats and mangrove-encircled pools of Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, and all specimens were caught in very close proximity to the mangrove habitat. The trapped specimens were captured on sandflat shelves with very shallow water (maximum 1 m depth at high tide) near the coastal stands of mangroves (Avicennia marina). Individuals appear to commonly utilize a specific type of habitat, co-occurring with A. berda, R. haffara, Pomadasys argenteus, Gerres longirostris, Monodactylus argenteus, Albula glossodonta and Crenimugil crenilabis (Ref. 130194). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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