Distribution:

Eastern Atlantic: Scandinavia to northern Namibia, including the Straits of Gibraltar, Mediterranean and the Black Sea, Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal softrays (total): 11-13. Body tall, with weak longitudinal stripes and no dark spots. Snout as long or longer than the eye diameter.

Biology:

Found over seagrass beds and rocky and sandy bottoms to about 300 m. Gregarious, sometimes in large schools. Omnivorous, feeding on seaweeds and small invertebrates, especially crustaceans. Protogynic hermaphrodite. An important food fish.

Max. size: 60.0 cm

Environment: benthopelagic; depth range 50 - 300 m

Climate: subtropical; 68°N - 16°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Chopa