Distribution:

Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay, Straits of Gibraltar and Mediterranean to Cape of Good Hope, South Africa and the Mozambique Channel. Also found around the Canaries and Cape Verde, but not in Madeira. Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea; not found in tropical east Africa.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal softrays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft-rays: 10-11

Biology:

Found on the shelf, over sandy and muddy bottoms as well as seagrass-beds and estuaries. Gregarious, sometimes forming sizeable schools. Feeds on worms, mollusks and small crustaceans. Protandric hermaphrodite. Flesh excellent; sold fresh and dried.

Max. size: 55.0 cm

Environment: benthopelagic; depth range - 150 m

Climate: subtropical; 50°N - 40°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Herrera