Psetta Swainson, 1839
Diagnosis: body almost circular and rather thick. Dorsal fin with 57-80 rays, the anterior of which not much branched and not free from membrane; anal fin with 43-58 rays. Almost all scales transformed to bony tubercles. Colour: very variable, generally greyish or sandy brown. Size: to about 100 cm SL.
Habitat: sandy and stony bottoms down to about 70 m; rather common in brackish waters. Food: bottom-fish, crustaceans and bivalves. Reproduction: between April and August. Pelagic eggs. Commercial importance: a highly esteemed fish.
Distribution: whole Mediterranean and along the European coasts to Arctic Circle, also found in most of the Baltic Sea (P. m. maxima); Black Sea extending into the eastern Mediterranean (P. m. maeotica).
Species 1, divided into two subspecies, both in Clofnam area.
Species of this genus in the program:
Psetta maxima