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Littlehead porgy (Calamus proridens) — Sparidae

Littlehead porgy

Calamus proridens
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Littlehead porgy (Calamus proridens) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–59 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; sponge and coral bottoms.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The littlehead porgy is a porgy (Sparidae) from the western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The species has a deep, silvery body with bluish lines on the head and strong jaws with grinding teeth. It lives mainly on sponge and coral bottoms of coastal waters. With its powerful jaws it feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates such as molluscs and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Littlehead porgy?

The Littlehead porgy has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Bluish lines on the head and molar jaws; bottom predator of sponge and coral bottoms.

Where does the Littlehead porgy live?

The Littlehead porgy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; sponge and coral bottoms.

How big does the Littlehead porgy get?

The Littlehead porgy grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 37 cm.

Is the Littlehead porgy dangerous to humans?

No, the Littlehead porgy is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Littlehead porgy edible?

Yes, the Littlehead porgy is commonly eaten.

More photos

Littlehead porgy (Calamus proridens) — Sparidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Littlehead porgy (Calamus proridens) — Sparidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan (Public domain)
Littlehead porgy (Calamus proridens) — Sparidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Josiah Londerée, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Littlehead porgy (Calamus proridens) — Sparidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) jleisen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Littlehead porgy verified
Scientific name
Calamus proridens
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Littlehead porgy verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
59 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; sponge and coral bottoms.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates such as molluscs and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Bluish lines on the head and molar jaws; bottom predator of sponge and coral bottoms. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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