| Family: |
Sparidae (Porgies) |
| Max. size: |
25.9 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 100 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: currently known only off Socotra, southern Oman, and Gulf of Oman; likely to have a wider distribution in the area. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following set of characters: body deep and becoming compressed and slender with growth; D XII,10; the first 2 dorsal-fin spines rudimentary (2 dorsal-fin spines on first dorsal pterygiophore); third dorsal-fin spine longest (1.6-2.5, mean 2.0 in 3DFS/4DFS), third spine longer than head length and reaching beyond first soft dorsal-fin ray; orbit diameter is slightly less than suborbital depth; snout, 1st and 2nd infraorbital bones, and area around eye with blue reflections and also with bluish reflections on preopercular flange, this remains dark even in preserved specimens. Colouration: body uniform silvery red with small obliquely scattered blue spots observed from some angles, especially the dorsal body above lateral line, belly and chin are slightly silvery; all fins pale red (Ref. 124569) |
| Biology: |
Many observed catches from southern Oman were taken by hand and line in 10-30 m and by shallow trawlers in 50-100 m. A species caught as bycatch of A. spinifer which occurs in deeper waters of the Middle East (Ref. 124569). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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