Pacific Porgy

Family: Porgies (Sparidae)
Size: Up to 61 cm (24 in) | Common: 35 cm
Depth: 3 – 80m (10 – 260ft)
Distribution: Eastern Pacific (Southern California to Peru, including the Galapagos

Identification:
A large, disc-shaped fish with a very distinct profile.

• Body Shape: They have a very deep, laterally compressed body with a noticeably steep, almost vertical, convex forehead and a slightly pointed snout.
• Coloration: The body is overall silvery-grey. If you look closely at the face, cheeks, and upper body scales, you will often see subtle, iridescent blue spots or short lines.
• The Mouth: The mouth is positioned very low on the face and features thick, fleshy lips hiding powerful jaws.

Behavior:
A heavy-duty crusher of the sand flats.

• Habitat: While sometimes seen passing over the rocks, they are most commonly found hovering just above sandy bottoms and rubble adjacent to the main reef.
• Diet: They are specialized bottom feeders. They use their strong jaws and molar-like teeth to crush hard-shelled benthic invertebrates, primarily targeting bivalves, crabs, and small urchins hiding in the sand.