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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
Range
Western Atlantic; seagrass beds.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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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. Marbled camouflage among seagrass; crushes crustaceans with strong jaws.

Where does the Grass porgy live?

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

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. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Grass porgy edible?

Yes, the Grass porgy is commonly eaten.

More photos

Grass porgy (Calamus arctifrons) — Sparidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Quinn, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Grass porgy (Calamus arctifrons) — Sparidae — 3
Kenneth Manole (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Grass porgy (Calamus arctifrons) — Sparidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Squidpastry, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Grass porgy (Calamus arctifrons) — Sparidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

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
Natural range
Western Atlantic; seagrass beds. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans, molluscs and other benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Marbled camouflage among seagrass; crushes crustaceans with strong jaws. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 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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