Home · Sparidae · Blackspot porgy
Blackspot porgy (Archosargus pourtalesii) — Sparidae

Blackspot porgy

Archosargus pourtalesii
Family: Sparidae

The Blackspot porgy (Archosargus pourtalesii) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
35.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–30.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Galapagos Is.

Want the complete picture on the Blackspot porgy?

Get the app

Description

The blackspot porgy is a porgy (Sparidae) from coastal waters of the western Atlantic, around island groups such as the Galapagos and the Caribbean region. The species grows to about 36 cm and has a deep, silvery body with a dark spot near the tail base and strong molars. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches reefs and sand flats for molluscs, crustaceans and algae, which it crushes. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot porgy?

The Blackspot porgy has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Blackspot porgy live?

The Blackspot porgy lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Galapagos Is.

How big does the Blackspot porgy get?

The Blackspot porgy grows to a maximum of about 36 cm.

Is the Blackspot porgy dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot porgy is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blackspot porgy (Archosargus pourtalesii) — Sparidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) nathaly_corella, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackspot porgy (Archosargus pourtalesii) — Sparidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Guido and Carrara family (CC BY 2.0)
Blackspot porgy (Archosargus pourtalesii) — Sparidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) orionsmcc, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackspot porgy (Archosargus pourtalesii) — Sparidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Guido and Carrara family (CC BY 2.0)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Blackspot porgy?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blackspot porgy is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Blackspot porgy sourced
Scientific name
Archosargus pourtalesii
Family
Sparidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Galapagos Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Archosargus

More from the family Sparidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Blackspot porgy?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blackspot porgy is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Blackspot porgy? Get the app