The Brown Meagre, scientifically known as Sciaena umbra, is a fish species belonging to the drum family, Sciaenidae. It is a common inhabitant of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, often found in various marine zones.
Description & Characteristics
The Brown Meagre is a moderately sized fish, typically reaching a maximum length of 70.0 cm. Its body is elongated and slightly compressed, featuring a prominent snout and a large mouth. The dorsal fin is divided into two parts, with the first part being spiny and the second part being soft-rayed. The anal fin is also soft-rayed, and the caudal fin is slightly rounded. The Brown Meagre’s coloration can vary depending on its habitat and age, but it is generally brown or grayish-brown with a darker back and a paler belly.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Brown Meagre is a demersal fish, meaning it lives near the bottom of the ocean. It is typically found in depths ranging from 1.0 to 200.0 meters, inhabiting a variety of habitats, including rocky reefs, sandy bottoms, and seagrass meadows. Its distribution spans the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the Bay of Biscay to Angola, including the Mediterranean Sea. It is a particularly common species in the Mediterranean Sea, where it is found in both coastal and offshore waters.
Taxonomy
The species Sciaena umbra belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis, and Family: Sciaenidae. This family, Sciaenidae, is known as the drum or croaker family, and it is comprised of over 100 species of fish. The family is further classified within the Order Eupercaria incertae sedis, a taxonomic group that includes a diverse range of bony fishes. These fish are all characterized by their teleostean features, which include a specialized skeleton and a well-developed swim bladder.
Feeding
The Brown Meagre is a carnivorous fish, primarily feeding on a variety of benthic invertebrates. Its diet includes crabs, crustaceans, fish (including smaller fish), invertebrates, mysids, and shrimp. It typically forages on the seabed, using its sensitive barbels to locate prey. The Brown Meagre plays an important role in the marine ecosystem by controlling the population of its prey species.
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