Author: (Castelnau, 1861)
FBname: Black musselcracker
Comments: Inhabits shallow, rocky coastal areas to 80 m depth.  Rarely enters estuaries.  Feeds on crabs, crayfish, sea urchins and other hard-shelled animals (Ref. 3670).  Takes almost any bait (Ref. 3198).  Important food fish.  Head considered a delicacy in some areas (Ref. 3198). It is parasitised by the monogenean <i>Anoplodiscus cirrusspiralis</i> on the fins and body surface (Ref. 124057).