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

 Family:  Sparidae (Porgies), subfamily: Danioninae
 Max. size:  46 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,000.0 g
 Environment:  reef-associated; 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:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Luna, Susan M. - 17.10.90
 Modified by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 11.12.15
 Checked by: Torres, Armi G. - 23.08.94

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