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Grass porgy (Calamus arctifrons) — Sparidae

Grass porgy

Calamus arctifrons
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Grass porgy (Calamus arctifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–22.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The grass porgy is a porgy (Sparidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a deep, silvery body with a mottled pattern and dark bars that camouflage it among seagrass. It inhabits seagrass beds from near shore to at least twenty-two metres depth; small individuals sometimes form small aggregations. With its strong jaws it cracks shellfish, molluscs and other bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grass porgy?

The Grass porgy has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Grass porgy live?

The Grass porgy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Grass porgy get?

The Grass porgy grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Grass porgy dangerous to humans?

No, the Grass porgy is harmless to humans.

Is the Grass porgy edible?

Yes, the Grass porgy is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gras-zeekarper sourced
English name
Grass porgy verified
Scientific name
Calamus arctifrons
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Grass porgy; Porgy; Shad porgy verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
22.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Calamus

More from the family Sparidae

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