Size range:Max. 55cm (Fishes of Europe and the mediterranean) | 59cm (Fishbase)
Common size: 35-40 cm (Fishes of Europe and the Mediterranean) | 30cm (FishBase.)
Depth range: 0-5m (20m ?) (Fishes of Europe and the Mediterranean)
Habitat:
- Hard - rocky
- Soft - sand
Water column position:
- Pelagic-Neritic
Schooling characteristics:
- schools
Colors & patterns:
- A golden blotch on gill cover
- often a smaller golden blotch behind eye
- (no black spot on pectoral fin base)
- back blue-grey
- white belly
- silvery sides
- more or less visible dark longitudinal lines
Behavior:
- Transient
2. Activity: (TBC)
3. Approach: (TBC)
4. Unique behavior: (TBC)
5. Feeding characteristic - zooplanktivore (juveniles), herbivore, detritivore, crustaceavore, occasionally insects
Native/Exotic: Native
EM notes: description of special east Mediterranean characteristics.