The golden head snapper is distributed in the eastern Atlantic region, from the British Isles to the Cape Verde Islands. It inhabits seagrass beds and sandbeds, with a depth of 1-150 metres. Silver gray, with a maximum age of 11 years, a body length of 70 centimetres and a maximum weight of 17.2 kg, but generally does not exceed 2.5 kg. The jaw has 4 to 6 canine teeth in front, and gradually becomes molar-shaped obtuse teeth behind. The bite force is very strong, feeding on shellfish and seaweed. Under breeding conditions, the regulatory nature of socialisation and hormone factors is reversed into small group activities. The meat is strong and white. There are fewer bones.