Sheepshead porgy

Littlemouth porgy
Photo Credit: Kevin Bryant (© STRI)
Family Porgies
Scientific Family Sparidae
Scientific Name Calamus penna
Spanish Name Pez de pluma manchado
ITIS# 169205
Tail shape Forked

Silvery, scales with iridescent lavender, blue and yellow reflections; usually faint stripes along body; sometimes a blue-grey line under eye, no other blue or yellow markings on head; a dark brown bar under eye; a small black spot at upper base of pectoral fin blackish; live fish may have ~7 dark bars.


Biology

Found in clear reef areas over soft or semi-hard bottoms. Juveniles are encountered in seagrass beds. Mobile invertebrate feeder.

Appearance

Body Shape
Compressiform
Color
Main Color: Silver
Other Color:
Common Body Shape
Flattened side to side


Pattern
None
Length
Avg Length: 11 inches (28 cm)
Max Length: 18 inches (46 cm)
Maximum Weight
2.2 lbs (1000 g)




Specifications

Handling Concerns
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Conservation Concerns
None
Range in USA
FL-MS


Abundance
Uncommon