The Salema (Spanish name) is a fish with an elongated, slightly compressed body, small mouth and strong teeth. Its body colour can vary between greyish, bluish or silver, with golden lines running from the mouth to the caudal fin. It can grow up to 45 centimetres long, but its normal length is 30 centimetres. It breeds between August and October.It lives on rocky and seaweed bottoms, from the coast up to 15 metres deep, forming large shoals. The salema is a little known species. Its few catches are made with purse seine gear.