Distribution:

Eastern Atlantic and Western Indian: western Mediterranean and Gibraltar to the Cape and along the east coast of Africa to the Persian Gulf. Not yet recorded from Namibia but may eventually be found there.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal softrays (total): 23-26; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft-rays: 7-7. Juveniles brown with narrow oblique wavy stripes, becoming obscure with age.

Biology:

Coastal species. Inhabits rocky and sandy bottoms. Juveniles may occur in littoral areas, but not in estuaries. Feeds on shrimps, worms and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.

Max. size: 100.0 cm

Environment: demersal; depth range 20 - 200 m

Climate: subtropical; 43°N - 35°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Verrugato