Jolthead porgy (Calamus bajonado) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 3–200 m.
Scientific name: Calamus bajonado · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 76 cm
The jolthead porgy is a sparid that inhabits coastal waters, found on vegetated sand bottoms and more frequently on coral bottoms, and it is occasionally found at depths of at least 180 to 200 m; large adults are usually solitary. It feeds mainly on sea urchins including Diadema, as well as on crabs and mollusks, and it is an excellent food fish. It is recorded from 3 to 200 m. Its range is the western Atlantic, from Rhode Island and Bermuda and the northern Gulf of Mexico southward to Brazil, and it is most abundant in the West Indies. Maximum length is about 76 cm fork length, commonly about 54 cm total length, and it matures at about 36 cm. It is a minor commercial species and a gamefish, with a medium price category. Fishing vulnerability is high at 59 of 100 and resilience medium. IUCN lists it as least concern.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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