Calamus penna (Valenciennes, 1830)
Sheepshead porgy
Calamus penna
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Sparidae (Porgies)
Max. size:  46 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,000.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 87 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and the northeastern Gulf of Mexico to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; throughout the West Indies (Ref. 3815).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Silvery, the scales with iridescent reflections; usually a faint longitudinal banding on a body; a blue-gray line under eye present or absent; no other blue markings; no orange or yellow at corner of mouth; small black spot at upper base of pectoral fins (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Found in clear reef areas over soft or semi-hard bottoms. Juveniles are encountered in seagrass (Thalassia) beds (Ref. 9626). Marketed fresh and frozen.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 31 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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