Blackspot porgy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackspot porgy |
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The blackspot porgy (also called Galápagos seabream) is a type of fish that lives in the ocean. Its scientific name is Archosargus pourtalesii. This fish is part of the Sparidae family, which includes seabreams and porgies. You can only find the blackspot porgy around the Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
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How Scientists Name Fish: Taxonomy
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to name and group all living things. This helps them organize and understand different species.
Who Discovered the Blackspot Porgy?
The blackspot porgy was first officially described in 1881. An Austrian scientist named Franz Steindachner gave it the name Sargus pourtalesii. He found this fish around the Galápagos Islands. Later, scientists changed its genus name to Archosargus.
How the Blackspot Porgy Got Its Name
The second part of the blackspot porgy's scientific name, pourtalesii, honors a person. It was named after Louis François de Pourtalès. He was a marine biologist from Switzerland who worked in America.
A Voyage of Discovery
Louis François de Pourtalès was on a special trip from 1871 to 1872. He sailed with another famous scientist, Louis Agassiz, on a ship called the Hassler. They traveled from Boston to San Francisco, going through the Strait of Magellan. It was during this journey that the first blackspot porgy was collected.
What Does the Blackspot Porgy Look Like?
The blackspot porgy has an oval-shaped body that is deep and flat from side to side. It has a small, rounded head with medium-sized eyes. Its mouth is small and horizontal.
Fins and Features
- Its dorsal fin (on its back) is long but not very tall. It has 12 or 13 strong spines and 9 or 10 soft rays.
- The anal fin (on its belly) has 3 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays. The second spine is very strong.
- Its pectoral fins (on its sides, like arms) are longer than its pelvic fins (on its belly, like legs).
Colors and Markings
The upper part of the blackspot porgy's body is pale blue. Its lower body is silvery. It has seven golden stripes that run along its sides. A special black spot is high on its side, right above its pectoral fin. This fish can grow up to about 36.5 centimeters (about 14 inches) long.
Where Does the Blackspot Porgy Live?
The blackspot porgy lives in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is only found around the Galápagos Islands.
Its Favorite Places to Live
This fish likes to live in shallow waters, usually between 1 and 30 meters deep. It prefers sheltered bays and lagoons. You can often find it near mangrove trees or over sandy areas.
What Does the Blackspot Porgy Eat?
The blackspot porgy is an omnivore. This means it eats both plants and animals.
Its Diet
It has been seen eating:
- Seaweeds
- Seagrasses
- Small molluscs (like snails or clams) that live on the seafloor
- Worms that live on the seafloor
- Small crustaceans (like crabs or shrimp) that live on the seafloor
- Tiny animals called zooplankton that float in the water
Is the Blackspot Porgy Fished?
Sometimes, the blackspot porgy is caught by fishers using nets. However, its meat is not considered very tasty, so it doesn't sell for a high price in markets.
