Max length : 72.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6205); common length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9563); max. published weight: 4,800 g (Ref. 6205); max. reported age: 15 years (Ref. 6390)
Dorsalspines
(total): 12 - 14;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 25 - 27;
Analspines: 2;
Analsoft rays: 21 - 24. The swim bladder is very elongate with a single slender tapering posterior extension and two anterolateral extensions. No duct-like urogenital aperture is present. Body color is pale brown, gray brown, or dark olive green above, and whitish pale brown or silvery below with reflections of mauve, blue green when fresh. The back and upper sides with oblique rows of small round dark brown to rusty brown spots; the lower sides with open-spaced rather scattered round dark spots. The belly is white and without spots. The dorsal fins are uniformly dark greenish brown to light brown sometimes spotted with dark brown; the anal, pectoral and pelvic fins are pale brown to hyaline; the caudal fin is greenish to brownish and finely dusted with brown (Ref. 6205).
Inhabit shallow inner continental shelf waters, including bays and inlets (Ref. 6390). For their first few years, they live mainly where seagrasses (Zostera species, Posidonia creeks. Small juveniles favor water depths from 2 m to 20 m. Adults inhabit more exposed waters along coastal beaches and reef areas (Ref. 27008, 27667), sometimes to depths as great as 200 m. Spawn in offshore waters from late summer to winter (Ref. 6390). Juveniles feed on benthic amphipods and other crustaceans. As they grow larger, their diet expands to include polychaete worms, mollusks and peanut worms (Sipuncula) (Ref. 27008, 27667). Oviparous (Ref. 205). This premium quality fish obtains a high price (Ref. 6205).
