Zeus faber Linnaeus, 1758
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22 - 24; Anal spines: 4; Anal soft rays: 20 - 23. Gill rakers rudimentary. Minute scales present. Highly compressed body (Ref. 4253). Large dark spot, surrounded by a light ring on each side of the body (Ref. 35388).
Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Zeiformes
Family: Zeidae
Genus: Zeus
Species: Zeus faber Linnaeus, 1758
Climate Zone
Biology
Found in areas close to the sea bed (Ref. 6390). Generally solitary. Feeds mainly on schooling bony fishes, occasionally on cephalopods and crustaceans (Ref. 27121). Reproduction takes place at the end of winter and at the start of spring in the northeastern Atlantic, earlier in the Mediterranean. Eggs are pelagic, maturity reached at 4 years (Ref. 36731). Sold fresh (Ref. 9563) and frozen (Ref. 9988). Can be steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988). The flesh is excellent but is utilized little in West Africa (Ref. 5377).
Habitat
brackish
Conservation Status
Data deficient
Threat to Humans
Harmless
Zeus faber Linnaeus, 1758