| Family: |
Sparidae (Porgies) |
| Max. size: |
76 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 11 kg |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 200 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Rhode Island (USA), Bermuda, and northern Gulf of Mexico southward to Brazil. Most abundant in the West Indies (Ref. 9626). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Blue line under each eye. Corner of mouth and isthmus have orange cast (Ref. 26938). An irregular row of small molariform teeth inside and toward the front of the three usual rows of molars at side of upper jaw; dorsal profile of head evenly convex and not very steep (Ref. 13442). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coastal waters. Found on vegetated sand bottoms and more frequently on coral bottoms. Occasionally found at depths at least 180m (Ref. 09710) and 200 m. (Ref. 26938). Large adults are usually solitary. Feeds mainly on sea urchins, (including Diadema, Ref. 13442), crabs and mollusks. Excellent food fish (Ref. 5521). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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