Acanthocepola limbata (Valenciennes 1835)

Description: Dorsal rays 102-103; anal rays 105-107; pectoral rays 18; caudal fin segmented-rays 10, unbranched. Vertebrae 12 + 60-67. Preopercular margin spiny; cheeks scaled. Juveniles grey, adult become red with white cheeks, operculum and pectoral-fin base. Dorsal fin anterior spot large, horizontally ovate, black or red (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 102 - 104; Analsoft rays: 105 - 107

Adults pair and feed in loose groups; juveniles gather in small groups on deep sand slopes, usually in current-prone areas (Ref. 48635). Occurs in mud bottoms 15-100 m deep (Ref. 90102). Commonest member of the Japanese cepolid fishes. Caught by trawl net from sandy or muddy bottoms. Used mainly for fish cake. (Ref. 559 and 637). Minimum depth of 15 m reported from Ref. 90102.

fisheries: commercial