Trachinotus Lacepède. 1 801
Teeth in both jaws small, consisting of a narrow band anteriorly, tapering posteriorly. Bases of soft dorsal and anal fins approximately equal in length; pectoral fins longer than pelvic fins. Spinous dorsal fin with 6 spines. No caudal peduncle grooves. Lateral line slightly arched above pectoral fins and straight thereafter; no scutes.
Habitat: adults and juveniles usually occur in schools in the surf zone and clear water along sandy beaches. Food: invertebrates, primarily small crustaceans and molluscs, and small fishes. Reproduction: see family.
Distribution: eastern Atlantic northward to Gulf of Biscay and as a rare vagrant in British and Scandinavian waters; Mediterranean. Elsewhere. common along African coast, including offshore islands, to southern Angola.
Species 19-21; in Clofnam area 1.
Recent revision: Smith-Vaniz and Berry (1981- on a regional basis only).
Species of this genus in the program:
Trachinotus ovatus