Red sea bream

D-Rote Fleckbrasse, Graubarsch; GB-Red sea bream, Blackspot seabream; DK-Blankesten; PL-Morlesz; EST-Mustlaik-besuugo; RU-Краснопёрый пагель; FIN-Pikkupagelli; S-Fläckpagell

Characters

1) Big black spot above basis of pectoral fins.
2) Diameter of eye larger than snouth length.
3) One long dorsal fin with spines in anterior part.
●) Body silvern-red, with stronger coloured red fins.
Usually 20 to 25 cm, max. up to 60 cm length.

Similar species

Black seabream - without dark spots on body; diameter of eye as big as length of mouth.

Biology

Lives as swarm fish over different undergrounds in down to 400 m, occasionally down to 700 m depth; young individuals occur also near the coast. First living as males, they become female from a body length of 20 to 30 cm on.

Diet

Feeding on crustaceans, snails, worms and smaller fish.

Importance

Commercially important as food fish.