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Pimento grunt (Calamus pennatula) — Sparidae

Pimento grunt

Calamus pennatula
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pimento grunt (Calamus pennatula) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
37 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–85.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The pluma porgy is a porgy of the family Sparidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 37 cm and has a deep, silvery body with bluish and yellow tints and fine lines on the head. Adults are often seen over rocky areas and reefs, but also on flat bottoms to about 85 metres. With powerful jaws and molar-like teeth it crushes hard-shelled bottom prey such as molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms. The pluma porgy is a valued food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pimento grunt?

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

Where does the Pimento grunt live?

The Pimento grunt lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Pimento grunt get?

The Pimento grunt grows to a maximum of about 37 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Pimento grunt dangerous to humans?

The Pimento grunt is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Pimento grunt edible?

Yes, the Pimento grunt is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pluma-zeebrasem sourced
English name
Pimento grunt verified
Scientific name
Calamus pennatula
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Pluma verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
85.0 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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous 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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