| Family: |
Haemulidae (Grunts), subfamily: Haemulinae |
| Max. size: |
30 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 7 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; brackish; marine; depth range 10 - 100 m, |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: west coast of Africa, from Mauritania to Angola (Ref. 57395). Also reported from Morocco (Ref. 2135). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Diagnosis: body oblong and compressed; dorsal profile slightly and regularly convex; snout shorter than eye diameter (Ref. 57395). Mouth large, oblique (Ref. 5377, 57395) and protrusible (Ref. 57395). Lower jaw slightly prominent; 2 anterior pores on chin, followed by a median pit bearing openings of two large pores (Ref. 57395). Eyes large (Ref. 5377). Dorsal fin deeply notched; caudal fin deeply forked; scales ctenoid on body and head (Ref. 57395).
Coloration: back olivaceous, sides silvery to white; dark spot at angle of opercle; sometimes several small, dark spots on dorsal-fin base (Ref. 57395). Fins grey (Ref. 5377). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coastal waters (Ref. 2683). Semipelagic, remains near the bottom during the day and moves up to the open water at night (Ref. 5377, 57395). Occasionally enters lagoons and estuaries at start of sexual maturation (Ref. 57395). Occurs over sandy and muddy bottoms. Feeds on invertebrates and small fishes (Ref. 5535). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 16 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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