Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Sparidae (Porgies)
Etymology: Polysteganus: Greek, polys = a lot of + Greek, stego, stege = covered (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 100 m (Ref. 3198). Subtropical; 17°S - 28°S
Western Indian Ocean: known only from Beira, Mozambique to Algoa Bay, South Africa.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 90.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3198); common length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3507); max. published weight: 7.8 kg (Ref. 40637)
Occurs in deep offshore reefs ranging from 20 to 100 m. Feeds on large crabs, crayfish, a variety of reef fish and squid. Spawns in winter. Sold fresh (Ref. 3507).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Smith, J.L.B. and M.M. Smith, 1986. Sparidae. p. 580-594. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 3198)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
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