Diagnosis_Genus: Stenotomus Gill. The teeth in front are trenchant and compressed but very narrow, and in front of the dorsal there is a recumbent spine.

Diagnosis_Species: Sparus chrysops Linnaeus. S. cauda lunata, dorso canaliculato, oculorum iridibus aureis. B. 6. D. I3/24. P. I7. V. 6. A. 3/I6. C. I9. Catesb. car. 2. p. I6. t. I6. Aurata bahamenfis. Habitat in Carolina. D. Garden. Porgee. Corpus coerulescens. P. pectorales, ventrales, analis, caudalisque rubrae. Caput lituris caeruleis.

Other description (Fisheriesscience): Their body is ovate-elliptical, about half as deep as long and laterally compressed. Their  mouth is small,teeth is small, narrow elliptical, almost conical; molars in two rows. Their eyes situated high up on side of head. Margins of gill covers rounded. One long dorsal fin originating over pectoral fins, preceded by a forward-pointing spine; spiny and soft parts of fin continuous. Scup’s dorsal fin is moderately high, first spine much shorter than others, rear corner rounded; fin fits in groove along midline of back. Scup’s anal fin under soft portion of dorsal fin nearly as long as soft part of dorsal, almost even in height from front to rear, but with first spine shorter than others. Anal fin depressible in conspicuous groove, like dorsal. Pectoral fins very long, reaching to below soft part of dorsal fin, sharply pointed, with slightly concave lower rear margins. Pelvic fins situated below pectorals, moderate-sized. Caudal fin deeply concave with sharp corners. Lateral line complete, slightly arched. Scales large, firmly attached. Their colour is  dull silvery and iridescent, somewhat darker above than below; sides and back with 12-15 indistinct longitudinal stripes, flecked with light blue, with a light blue streak following the base of the dorsal fin. Scup’s head is silvery, marked with irregular dusky blotches; belly white. Dorsal, caudal, and anal fins dusky, flecked with blue; pectoral fins of a brownish tinge; pelvics white and bluish, and very slightly dusky; iris silvery; pupil black. Live fish can display black, vertical blotched bands along midbody.
 
Body_eggs_length: 0.8-1 mm (Steimle et al. 1999)
Body_larvae_newly_hatched_length: 2 mm (Steimle et al. 1999, Kuntz & Radcliffe, 1918)
Body_larvae_3DPH: 2.8 mm (Kuntz & Radcliffe, 1918)
Body_juvenile_length: > 18-19 mm (Steimle et al. 1999)
Body_adult_length: > 15.5 mm (Steimle et al. 1999)
Body_adult: 450 mm (Fisheriesscience)
Weight_max: 2.1 kg (Fishbase)
Weight: 250-500 g (Fisheriesscience)
Sequence_Cytb: AF240736 (Chiba et al., 2009)
Stage_incubation_duration_22°C: 40 hours (Kuntz & Radcliffe, 1918)