Distribution:

Eastern Atlantic: Norway to Angola, including the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and the Sao Tome-Principe Islands. Common from Bay of Biscay to Gibraltar. Also found in the Mediterranean and the the Black Sea.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 13-15; Dorsal softrays (total): 12-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft-rays: 14-16. Body slender, with 3 - 5 weak, golden longitudinal stripes and a black spot at the pectoral fin base.

Biology:

Found on the shelf or coastal pelagic on various bottoms (sand, mud, rocks and seaweeds). Gregarious, ascending to the surface mainly at night. Omnivorous, feeding mainly on crustaceans, also planktonophagous. Hermaphroditic, generally protogynous. Also caught in pelagic trawls. Utilized fresh and frozen; consumed pan-fried, broiled and baked.

Max. size: 36.0 cm

Environment: demersal; depth range 0 - 350 m

Climate: subtropical; 60°N - 6°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Boga