Distribution:

Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay and Straits of Gibraltar to Sierra Leone, including Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde; Congo to South Africa . Also present in the Mediterranean.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal softrays (total): 14-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft-rays: 13-15. Black spot at the pectoral fin base. Body relatively slender with 10 golden longitudinal stripes.

Biology:

Found over rocky substrates and sandy area with algal growth. Gregarious, sometimes forming sizeable schools. Young mainly carnivorous on crustaceans, adults almost exclusively herbivorous. Protandric hermaphrodite. Tasty when fresh, but easily softens and not is not much esteemed.

Max. size: 51.0 cm

Environment: benthopelagic; depth range - 70 m

Climate: subtropical; 45°N - 40°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Salema