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Normally sexes are separate but some individuals are protandrous due to geographical variation in sexual pattern (Ref. 103751). However, histological studies confirm no degenerating functional tissue of one sex (e.g. vitellogenic or later-stage follicles) and no proliferation of tissue of the other sex can be found on this species indicating the absence of sex change. This particular condition is also known as nonfunctional hermaphroditism previously known as rudimentary hermaphroditism (Ref. 91314). Also Ref. 28504.

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Analsoft rays: 11 - 12

Inhabits chiefly Zostera seagrass beds but is also found on Posidonia beds and sandy bottoms, rarely on rocky bottoms. Carnivorous, feeds on worms, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms and hydrozoans.

Inhabit chiefly Zostera seagrass beds but also found on Posidonia beds and sandy bottoms, rarely on rocky bottoms. Carnivorous, feed on worms, crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms and hydrozoans. The sexes are separated, although these fish are potential hermaphrodites; certain individuals are protandric (Ref. 4781).

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes