Sparisoma Swainson, 1839
Diagnosis: Iarge scales on body and major part of head. Snout conical, shorter than post-orbital length. Edge of fused teeth with indentures in young specimens. Median suture in each jaw present. Preopercular edge membraneous. Dorsal finrays VIII-IX + 10; anal finrays III + 9. Lateral line interrupted with 18 19 + 5 7 scales; above lateral line 1-2 rows of scales and I on cheeks. Gillrakers 10-14. Vertebrae 24. Colour: males grey-brown, purplish-brown, more pale on belly. Small white spots on back and sides. Females generally reddish, carmine; a large brown (indigo) spot on rear part of head and on beginning of sidcs; a yellow spot on upper part of caudal peduncle, spreading on last dorsal soft rays. Males and females with longitudinal stripes of whitish spots on sides. Size: to 50 cm SL, usually 20-30 cm.
Habitat: on rocky and sandy shores down to 30 m. Reproduction: August-October in southern Italy. Food: algae (Corallina) and small invertebrates.
Distribution: in the Mediterranean and from Portugal and the Azores southwards to Senegal.
Species 5; in Clofnam area 1.
Species of this genus in the program:
Sparisoma cretense