Fish
Red seabream
Pagrus pagrus
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
24 cm
Minimum size
Description
The body is oval, robust, and laterally compressed. The head has a convex profile (arched back). Its coloration is a distinctive silvery pink. The head is darker between the eyes. A major distinguishing feature is the presence of white tips at the ends of its forked caudal fin (tail). Bright blue spots are sometimes visible on the flanks, especially in juveniles. It grows to about 35 cm in length. Its jaws are powerful, with canine teeth at the front and molars at the back for crushing shells. A carnivore, it feeds mainly on crustaceans, mollusks (gastropods, bivalves, cephalopods), and small bottom-dwelling fish.
Habitat
A benthopelagic marine species (lives near the bottom but can swim in open water). It prefers rocky bottoms, rubble, and sandy areas near rocks. Juveniles are often found in Posidonia seagrass beds or near the coast. It is generally found between 10 and 80 meters, but can descend to depths of up to 250 meters, particularly in winter. It prefers temperate to subtropical waters (between 12°C and 25°C).
Distribution
The Common seabream has a very wide distribution on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. From the southern British Isles to Western Sahara, including the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Marmara (but not in the Black Sea), as well as along the coasts from New York (United States) and the northern Gulf of Mexico to Argentina.