A solitary species inhabiting sandy bottoms and reefs . A beautiful and hardy species in the aquarium, prefers cooler waters and not good community dwellers for they are active piscivores (FB user, 27/04/12 ).
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7. Distinguished by the following characteristics: head, body, dorsal and caudal fins yellow; 6-7 salmon-colored stripes from the head to the soft dorsal and caudal fins; blood-red blotch on the front half of anal fin; white blotch on the side of belly; pinkish purple pelvic fins; depth of body subequal to head length, depth contained 2.3-2.5 times in SL; width of body 2.3-2.4 times in body depth; head length 2.2-2.3 times in SL; convex interorbital area, convex dorsal head profile; rounded preopercle, with large, curved spine at angle, lower edge fleshy; very large middle opercle spine, extending to or beyond rear edge of opercular membrane; small posterior and anterior nostrils, subequal; well-developed supramaxilla and prominent bony knob (hidden by upper lip) on lower rear corner; short, curved, fixed canine tooth on each side of symphysis of both jaws and midside of lower jaw with 1-3 similar fixed canines .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
Behavioural data for Spanish flag is currently being reviewed.
Marine; demersal; depth range 35 - 365 m , usually 35 - ? m . Subtropical; 35°N - 22°S, 98°W - 35°W North Carolina (pelagic post-larva, possibly drifted north from Florida or the Bahamas) to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and south to Vitoria, Brazil.
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plectropoma hispanum | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 11 records indexed .
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