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Acanthopagrus vagus (Peters, 1852) Wandering seabream |
| Family: | Sparidae (Porgies) | |||
| Max. size: | 60 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: western Indian Ocean from Knysna in South Africa to southern Mozambique (Ref. 83673). Also known from Zambezi River and some other coastal rivers (Ref. 57418, 83673). Possibly present in Madagascar, but this needs confirmation (Ref. 83673). | |||
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from its congeners of by the following characters: 3.5 scale rows between fifth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line; front edge of dorsal scaly area on head (dorsal view) with a median W-shaped scaleless area and with small scales present just before an oblique temporal row of larger scales; 44-46 pored lateral-line scales; second anal-fin spine (2AS) slightly longer than third anal fin spine (3AS), ratio 2AS/3AS 5 1.15-1.45 (mean 1.25); ventral edge of first two infraorbitals straight in specimens less than 23 cm SL, weakly concave in specimens more than 25 cm standard length; preopercle flange with 0-6 scales, number increasing with growth and is obvious in specimens over 20 cm standard length ; black streaks near anal-fin base on interradial membranes between rays; both jaws with well developed molariform teeth (Ref. 83673). Description: Body depth 1.9-2.5 times in standard length; head length 2.9-3.3 times in standard length; dorsal head profile straight, inter-orbital area flat; lower edge of preorbital bone and front edge of snout straight (Ref. 58304). Jaws with 4-6 pointed incisors at front, followed by 3-5 rows of molars (Ref. 58304). Lower gill rakers 9-11 (Ref. 58304). Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 10-12 rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 8 rays, second spine distinctly longer than third spine; pactoral fin with 15 rays (Ref. 58304). Lateral line scales 43-45; inter-orbital area naked (Ref. 58304). Colouration: Head, body and most fins silvery white; adults have yellow anal fin with membranes blackish basally, rear edge of operculum blackish; small black spot at upper end of pectoral fin base; fins of live juveniles bluish (Ref. 58304). |
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| Biology: | Adults and juveniles found in estuaries and in freshwater (Ref. 58304). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 04 December 2009 (A2bcd; B2ab(ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||