ABSTRACT
The monotypic species Polyprion americanus (Bloch & Schneider 1801) is found from the Grand Banks southward to Argentina including Bermuda but absent from the tropics in the western Atlantic and is also found in the eastern Atlantic, along the mid-Atlantic ridge, southwestern Pacific, and southern Indian Ocean. It is a valuable food fish that is longlived but subject to overfishing (Sedberry 2003). Roberts (1993) placed it in the present family though it has been placed in the Moronidae, Percichthyidae, and Acropomatidae by various authors (Nelson 1994). Hardy (1978b) thoroughly reviews the ELH information on this species including reproducing published illustrations. PRIONIDAE Polyprion americanus (Bloch & Schneider 1801)
MERISTICS Vertebrae:
LIFE HISTORY
Range: Grand Banks to Straits of Florida & Bermuda. Habitat: Demersal on deep rocky bottoms, 50-800 m; juveniles pelagic. ELH Pattern: Oviparous, pelagic eggs, larvae, & juveniles. Spawning: Season: December to April.
