Fish
Picarel
Spicara smaris
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
10 cm
Minimum size
Description
The body is longated and spindle-shaped, slightly compressed laterally. A very distinct rectangular black spot is present on the flank, located exactly on the lateral line, above the tip of the pectoral fin. The back is gray-blue or brownish, and the sides are silvery. During the breeding season, males display brighter colors with blue and yellow iridescence. Highly protractile (can extend forward), which is typical of the Centracanthidae family. It generally measures between 12 and 15 cm, with a published maximum of 20 cm. Omnivorous, it feeds mainly on zooplankton, small crustaceans, and occasionally algae.
Habitat
A marine, benthic, and gregarious species (lives in schools). It is found primarily above Posidonia (Posidonia oceanica) seagrass beds and on sandy or muddy bottoms. Its vertical distribution is quite broad, ranging from 15 to 170 meters, but it is most common between 30 and 100 meters. It migrates toward the surface or the coast to spawn.
Distribution
The species is found primarily in the Mediterranean basin and in the temperate waters near the Atlantic. It is very common throughout the Mediterranean basin and in the Black Sea. It is found from Portugal to Morocco, as well as around the Canary Islands.