Distribution:

Eastern Atlantic: Norway and the Mediterranean to Guinea-Bissau, including Cape Verde, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Rarely recorded in Scandinavia.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal softrays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft-rays: 8-9. Body red without stripes or bars. Snout at least twice as long as the eye diameter.

Biology:

Found on inshore waters, on various bottom (rock, gravel, sand and mud) to 200 m (Mediterranean) or 300 m (Atlantic) and move to deeper waters during winter. Omnivorous, but feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates and small fishes. Protogynic hermaphrodite, females become males first in their third year with sizes of about 17 cm. Important food fish.

Max. size: 60.0 cm

Environment: benthopelagic; depth range - 300 m

Climate: subtropical; 60°N - 15°N

Canary Islands country information: Name: Breca