Madagascar Meagre

Argyrosomus hololepidotus has 11 spines in its dorsal fin with 10 in front of the incision which almost divides that fin and 1 behind it along with between 25 and 29 soft rays. The anal fin is supported by 2 spines and 7 soft rays. The standard length is 3.7 to 3.8 times the body's depth. The fold in the axillary of the pectoral fin is naked and the part of the lateral line near the head is moderately curved. Both sexes have drumming muscles. The colour of the body is silvery grey darkening on the upper body to bluish with a bronze sheen on the sides and back and a white breast and belly. The pelvic fins and anal fin are off white, with a grey streak while the dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins are brownish grey. This species has a maximum published total length of 200 cm (79 in), although 100 cm (39 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 71 kg (157 lb).

Argyrosomus hololepidotus is considered to be endemic to the waters off eastern Madagascar, where it is most numerous in the southeast. Reports from the west coast of Madagascar require confirmation and records from the southern African coast are thought to refer to congeners. They occur in the lower reaches of rivers, estuaries, on rocky reefs, off ocean beaches and on the continental shelf as deep as 150 m (490 ft).