Pentapodus
Pentapodus is a genus of fishes in the family Sparidae, commonly known as sea breams. They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Pacific islands. This genus comprises five species, all of which are characterized by their elongated, compressed bodies with a distinctive five-pointed, star-shaped protrusion on their lower jaw.
Common Names
Common names for species within the Pentapodus genus vary depending on location and language. Some common names include:
- Five-spotted sea bream
- Five-spined sea bream
- Star-nosed sea bream
Characteristics
Pentapodus species exhibit several defining characteristics:
- Elongated body shape: The body is compressed laterally, giving them a streamlined appearance.
- Five-pointed jaw projection: The lower jaw has a distinctive five-pointed, star-shaped protrusion.
- Scales: They possess large, cycloid scales that cover their body.
- Dorsal fin: A single dorsal fin with a prominent spine at the front.
- Coloration: Color patterns vary among species but generally include shades of silver, grey, and brown with spots or stripes.
Environment
Pentapodus species are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Coral reefs: They are commonly found in shallow, coral-rich waters.
- Rocky reefs: They also inhabit areas with rocky substrates.
- Seagrass beds: Some species can be found in seagrass meadows.
References
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2023). "Pentapodus" in FishBase. February 2023 version. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Pentapodus.html
- Randall, J.E. (1983). "Pentapodus". In: Smith, M.M. and Heemstra, P.C. (eds.) Smiths' Sea Fishes. Springer, Dordrecht, pp. 478-479.