Diplodus argenteus | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Diplodus argenteus photographed on a reef near Cabo Frio, Brazil | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Acanthuriformes |
Family: | Sparidae |
Genus: | Diplodus |
Species: | D. argenteus |
Binomial name | |
Diplodus argenteus (Valenciennes, 1830) | |
Synonyms | |
|
Diplodus argenteus, the silver porgy, is an ocean-going species of sparid fish (seabream/porgies). It is also called the South American silver porgy [1] and the white bream in Uruguay, plus the silver seabream and the sargo , though the latter three names are also used for other fish species as well. [2] [3]
The silver porgy was originally described in 1830 by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes as Sargus argenteus, but it was later moved from the genus Sargus into Diplodus. [4] [5] Another binomial name, Sparus sargo, was erected by Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga in 1923 to describe fishes that are now considered to be silver porgies as well, meaning that Sparus sargo is considered a junior synonym for D. argenteus. [6] [4]
The genus name, Diplodus, means "double toothed", a description which was not well-explained, but may have been done in reference to the species' two types of teeth: incisor-like and molar-like, or to the double incisor-like tooth shape common to this genus. [7] The species name argenteus comes from the Latin word for silver, a reference to the fish's coloration. [7]
As its name suggests, this D. argenteus' silvery coloration (often with a yellowish tint on the scales and fins) is a significant characteristic of its appearance. [8] In addition to its main coloring, there are nine dark, narrow bars that can be faintly visible on the anterior portion of its body (especially in younger individuals, as they fade with age), there is also a large, black blotch on the caudal peduncle, and the opercular membrane is also very dark in color. [8] [2] [9] [10] The silver porgy's dorsal fin is made up of 12 spines, and 13–15 soft rays; it's anal fin is consists of only 3 spines, but 12–14 soft rays. [9] Mature silver porgies achieve about 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in) in length, while the maximum known length for this species is 37.8 cm (1.24 ft) in length. [11]
The silver porgy is known primarily from the western Atlantic Ocean, where it can be found in the waters of southern Florida as well as the Antilles and Bahamas. [9] Along the coast of South America, it is known from coasts of Colombia and Venezuela to Argentina – as far south as the coast of northern Patagonia. [9] [12] [13] They are also found in the Bay of Campeche, which is part of the Gulf of Mexico. [1]
Adult silver porgies usually inhabit clear but turbulent waters over rocky or coral bottoms, especially on unsheltered coasts that are heavily affected by surf. [8] [15] Juveniles, on the other hand, can be found in much shallower water, such as in pools between rocks, though mid-sized individuals up to 10 cm (3.9 in) can be also found in beds of seagrass from the genus Thalassia. [14]
Silver porgies eat mostly shellfish especially crustaceans and mollusks, however the remains of algae and polychaete worms have also been found in the stomachs of specimens collected from the Brazilian coast. [16] [17] Variation in diet does occur as the fish grows, mostly in relation to mouth size, as different prey species can only be consumed by individuals large enough to catch them. [16]
The silver porgy is fished commercially, but only traded locally. [1] Able to be caught via angling or through trapping, it makes up a major portion of the catch in the Cabo Frio region of Brazil, but is generally caught incidentally, and is even reported rare from fisheries in other parts of its range such as Cuba. [1] Catches are generally very small and come from Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, though fishing for this species off the United States East Coast and Brazil once dominated the silver porgy catch for most of the late-20th century. [18]
Because of its habitat and distribution, this species is often encountered by recreational SCUBA divers and snorklers. [19] Despite its fairly high probability of being encountered in certain ecosystems, the silver porgy seldom approaches divers and generally moves away from them when approached. [19]
Sparidae is a family of ray-finned fishes belonging to the order Spariformes, the seabreams and porgies, although they were traditionally classified in the order Perciformes. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters around the world and are demersal carnivores.
The red porgy, also known as the common seabream or Couch's bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Sparidae. It is found in shallow waters on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, being present on the western coast of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea as well as the eastern coasts of North and South America and the Caribbean Sea. It feeds on or near the seabed and most individuals start life as females and later change sex to males.
Pagrus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. These fishes are found in the Western Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. They are esteemed food fishes which are targeted by commercial fisheries and are grown in aquaculture.
Arcachon Basin or alternatively Arcachon Bay is a bay of the Atlantic Ocean on the southwest coast of France, situated in Pays de Buch between the Côte d'Argent and the Côte des Landes, in the region of Aquitaine. The bay covers an area of 150 square kilometres (60 sq mi) at high tide and 40 km2 (15 sq mi) at low tide. Some of its geological features are natural preservation areas.
The spottail pinfish is an ocean-going species of fish in the family Sparidae. It is also known as the spottail seabream or spottail pinkish porgy. Along with other members of their family, spottail pinfish are occasionally eaten and considered by some to be a panfish.
The jolthead porgy is an ocean-going species of fish in the family Sparidae. In Bermuda, it is known as the blue bone porgy, in the United States, it is also known by the Spanish name bojanado, in Jamaica, it is one of the species known by the name, porgi grunt.
Diplodus sargus, the sargo, common white seabream, or white seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a target species for commercial fisheries and is grown in aquaculture. D. sargussensu lato was formerly thought to be a widespread species in the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans but the taxa outside of D, sargussensu stricto are now recognised as valid species and are part of the D. sargus species complex.
Diplodus is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. These fishes are found in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the western Indian Ocean.
Archosargus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, the sea breams and porgies. These fishes occur in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans.
Diplodus vulgaris, the common two-banded sea bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This species is found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. It is an important species for fisheries and is grown in aquaculture.
Rhabdosargus sarba, also known as the goldlined seabream, silver bream, tarwhine, or yellowfin bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.
Acanthopagrus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, the sea breams and porgies. The fish in this genus are found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.
Rhabdosargus is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. These fishes are found in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean and throughout the Indo-West Pacific, although mainly in the western Indian Ocean.
The banded seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This species is endemic to Cape Verde in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
The St. Helena white seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the southern Atlantic.
Diplodus hottentotus, the zebra, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the Western Indian Ocean off Southern Africa.
Diplodus capensis, the Cape white seabream or blacktail seabream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found around the coasts of Southern Africa.
Rhabdosargus globiceps, the white stumpnose or go-home fish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is endemic to the waters off Southern Africa.
Rhabdosargus haffara, the haffara seabream or Haffara stumpnose, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the northwestern Indian Ocean.
Rhabdosargus niger, the blackish stumpnose, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is known only from the western coast of Kalimantan in Indonesia.