[2][3] Genus and species names Phycis derive from Greek, phykon meaning seaweed, as these fishes usually live hidden among seaweeds.

The dorsal fin is a double and rounded (the first can have 9 or 11 soft rays, the second 56 or 65).

They feed on small fish and several species of invertebrates.

[6] This species is present in the Mediterranean, in Portugal and in western coast of northern Africa and the Azores.

These fishes live on hard and sandy-muddy bottoms close to the rocks usually, at depths of 100–650 m.[2][5]