Panama Grunt

Body oblong, moderately compressed, and not very deep (depth contained 2.3 to 2.5 times in standard length); mouth moderate sized and terminal, its posterior end located at the same level as the anterior rim of the eye; first gill arch with 20 to 23 gill rakers; dorsal fin deeply notched, with 12 to 13 spines and 13 soft rays (XII-XIII, 13); pectoral fins very long (contained 2.7 to 3.3 times in standard length), reaching origin of anal fin; second anal spine much stronger and longer than third; back gray; belly silvery; posterior angle of operculum with a very distinct black spot preceded by a green area (Ref. 55763).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Adults inhabit sandy bottoms of coastal waters (Ref. 9114). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9114).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family