Family: |
Sparidae (Porgies) |
Max. size: |
36 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 500 m, oceanodromous |
Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea: Bay of Biscay to Senegal, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde; rare in the British Isles but recorded occasionally off Denmark. Azores (Ref. 44330). |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Body tall without stripes but with a black spot at the pectoral fin base (Ref. 35388). |
Biology: |
Adults inhabit various types of bottoms, especially seagrass beds and sand down to 500 m depth, but more common between 40 and 100 m. The young are found nearer to the shore. Omnivorous, but prefer worms, mollusks and small crustaceans (Ref. 3688). Important food fish. |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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