Red porgy
Photo Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles
Family Porgies
Scientific Family Sparidae
Scientific Name Pagrus pagrus
Spanish Name Sargo rojo
ITIS# 169207
Tail shape Forked
Pink with silvery reflections, lighter on belly; head dark from nape to angle of mouth; sometimes, fine blue dots present on upper sides, particularly conspicuous in young individuals; often a somewhat darker area at pectoral fin axils; caudal fin dark pink, with both tips white; other fins pinkish
Biology
Found over rock, rubble, or sand sea bottoms (young frequently found on seagrass beds and the continental shelf) down to about 750 feet (250 m) depth, often above 405 feet (150 m). Feeds on crustaceans, fishes, and mollusks. Its toxic nature is uncertain.
Appearance
Body Shape
Compressiform
Color
Main Color: Red
Other Color: white
Other Color: white
Common Body Shape
Flattened side to side
Pattern
None
Length
Avg Length: 14 inches (35 cm)
Max Length: 36 inches (91 cm)
Max Length: 36 inches (91 cm)
Maximum Weight
17 lbs (7720 g)
Specifications
Handling Concerns
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Conservation Concerns
None
Range in USA
NY-TX
Abundance
Very Common
Other Species from same Family
