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Galapagos porgy (Calamus taurinus) — Sparidae

Galapagos porgy

Calamus taurinus
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Galapagos porgy (Calamus taurinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Galapagos porgy is a porgy from the eastern Pacific, around the Galapagos Islands and along the coast of Ecuador and Peru. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a deep, silvery body with a steep head profile and strong jaws with molar teeth. With these it crushes shellfish, sea urchins and crustaceans on rocky and sandy reef bottoms. The fish is a valued food fish and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Galapagos porgy?

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

Where does the Galapagos porgy live?

The Galapagos porgy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Galapagos porgy get?

The Galapagos porgy grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Galapagos porgy dangerous to humans?

No, the Galapagos porgy is harmless to humans.

Is the Galapagos porgy edible?

Yes, the Galapagos porgy is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Galapagos-zeebrasem verified
English name
Galapagos porgy verified
Scientific name
Calamus taurinus
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Galapagos porgy verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen bij riffen met aas sourced
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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