[2] The Southern sheepshead (A. aries) is regarded as a separate valid species by some authorities[3] but is not recognised as such by FishBase.

[4] The genus Archosargus is placed in the family Sparidae within the order Spariformes by the 5th edition of Fishes of the World.

It has moderately sized eyes, a small horizontal mouth and the preorbital bone overlaps the rear of the maxilla.

[9] Archosargus probatocephalus is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean where it ranges from Nova Scotia to Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

[1] It mainly occurs in coastal waters in the vicinity of rock pilings, jetties, mangrove roots, and piers, also in tidal creeks.

[8] Archosargus probatocephalus is an omnivore, the larger juveniles and adults are predators of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), oysters, clams, crustaceans, and small fish with the young Atlantic croakers (Micropogonias undulatus) The large flattened teeth are used to crush prey protected by shells or armor as well as to scrape barnacles off rocks and pilings.

[11] Locating sheepshead with a boat is not difficult: fishermen look for rocky bottoms or places with obstructions, jetties, and the pilings of bridges and piers.