| Family: |
Sparidae (Porgies) |
| Max. size: |
45 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 21 years |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Southeast Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean: Angola to Mozambique and southern Madagascar, possibly reaching Mauritius (Ref. 3168, 3198). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 13-14. Young specimens with fine crossbars; large adults almost uniformly black. |
| Biology: |
Adults occur in shallow rocky and sandy substrate; juveniles in shallow reefs, estuary mouths and intertidal pools, sandy beach surf zone. Omnivorous on seaweeds, sponges and bivalves. Also feeds on crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and fish. Sold fresh or whole and as bait. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 December 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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