Pluma Porgy

Calamus pennatula

The pluma porgy, also known as the West Indian porgy or pimento grunt, is a marine fish found in the Western Atlantic, ranging from the Bahamas to Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It is a member of the Sparidae family, commonly seen over rocky areas and reefs, and occasionally on flat bottoms. Divers may encounter this species at depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters, although it can inhabit waters as deep as 85 meters. The pluma porgy is recognized by its silvery body with a lavender iridescence, and scales that have brown-yellow edges and iridescent blue-green spots. This species can be distinguished from its relative, the Jolthead porgy, by the number of rays on its pectoral fins. The pluma porgy has 12 spines and 12 soft rays on its dorsal fin, and 3 spines and 10 rays on its anal fin. It typically grows to about 30 cm in length, though it can reach up to 37 cm. The pluma porgy feeds on a variety of marine organisms, including crabs, mollusks, sea worms, brittle stars, and hermit crabs. The pluma porgy is a common species in the Antilles and is often used for food, although there have been reports of ciguatera poisoning. Its conservation status is listed as Least Concern. Divers observing this fish can expect to see it in its natural habitat, often displaying solitary behavior as it searches for food along the ocean floor.