Author: Forsskål, 1775
Crenidens crenidens Forsskål, 1775
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Crenidens crenidens (Forsskål, 1775) (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: body oblong oval, a little compressed, upper profile of head in juveniles gently convex to dorsal origin, in adults becoming concave above eye and convex in front of eye to produce a 'nose'. Occipital scalation not extending beyond vertical diameter of eye; preopercular flange naked. In each jaw, 2 series of incisors (sometimes a third series in upper jaw), the cutting edge of each with 5 points (3 median very distinct), outer teeth movable with brown edges; several inner rows of small granular teeth; lower gillrakers 9-11. D XI + 11; A III + 10. Lateral line scales 52-60 to caudal base. Colour: silvery greenish-blue or olive; darker narrow longitudinal stripes along scale rows from above level of pectoral fins; fins dull yellowish or olive, the dorsal darkened marginally; axil of pectoral fin sometimes darkish. Size: to 30 cm SL, usually 20 cm.
Habitat: on sandy, muddy and sea grass bottoms in shallow coastal waters and near coral reefs, also in lagoons. Food: mainly algae, also small invertebrates. Reproduction: no data.
Distribution: in the Mediterranean (reported from Israel in Bardawil lagoon) as immigrant from the Red Sea. Elsewhere, Red Sea and western Indian Ocean.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.