| Family: |
Sparidae (Porgies) |
| Max. size: |
60 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,240.0 g |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 300 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: Norway and the Mediterranean to Guinea-Bissau (Ref. 26999), including Cape Verde, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Rarely recorded in Scandinavia (Ref. 4781). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Body red without stripes or bars. Snout at least twice as long as the eye diameter (Ref. 35388). |
| Biology: |
Found on inshore waters, on various bottom (rock, gravel, sand and mud) to 200 m (Mediterranean) or 300 m (Atlantic) and move to deeper waters during winter. Omnivorous, but feed mainly on benthic invertebrates and small fishes (Ref. 3688). Protogynic hermaphrodites, females become males first in their third year with sizes of about 17 cm. Important food fish. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 August 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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