Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
First dorsal ray followed by a row of small, fleshy filaments. Color is varies from dusky to pale. Fin coloration varies geographically in the Western Atlantic, with southern specimens having more dark blotches than northern ones (Ref. 1371). One barbel on the lower jaw and two on the snout. Large chocolate brown spots on head and body (Ref. 35388).
Morphology
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Dorsal spines (total): 0; Analspines: 0
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Found on rocky bottoms but also on mud, sand and gravel. Feed on shrimps, crabs, isopods, small fish, mollusks and polychaetes (Ref. 1371). Spawn during spring and summer in the Mediterranean. Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 1371).
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus