The seasonal distribution of Leonnates persicus was studied along depth transects (10–200 m) of three stations located in the Levant Sea during February–November 2000. Leonnates persicus particularly dominated the slightly gravelly sand bottom of stations between 10 and 150 m. Its distributional pattern showed a seasonal trend: it inhabited depths between 40 and 150 m in February and May when surface temperature was below 21°C, whereas it preferred shallower waters (10–60 m) during the warm season (>29°C in August). The density of the species in the area varied between 10 and 130 ind m−2, with a maximum at 25–30 m off Erdemli in August.