Author: Steindachner, 1881
Dentex (Cheimerius) canariensis Steindachner, 1881
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Dentex (Cheimerius) canariensis Steindachner, 1881 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: upper profile of head regularly convex with a slight hump at forehead. Some small embedded scales on preopercle and 7-9 rows of scales on cheeks. Gillrakers 10-13 lower, 6-9 upper. D XII + 9-10; A III + 8-9; the two first dorsal spines short, the following spines more or less filamentous; first pelvic ray filamentous. Lateral line scales 61-68 to caudal base. Colour: reddish-silvery; dark red spot posteriorly on the hase of dorsal fin; small dark area at the pectoral axil; caudal dark red with narrow black margin. Size: to 100 cm SL, usually 30-35 cm.
Habitat: inshore waters, close to the bottom on various substrates to 150 m (occasionally 450 m). Food: carnivorous, young planktonophagous, adults eating fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. Reproduction: intermittent from July to September; maturity at 2 years (about 20 cm).
Distribution: West African coasts from Morocco (Cape Blanc) to Angola, oceanic islands excluded.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.