Black seabream

D-Streifenbrasse; GB-Black seabram; DK-Havrude; PL-Kantar; LT-Juodosios jūros kantaras; EST-Triibuline hammaskoger; RU-Карась-многозуб; FIN-Meriruutana; S-Havsruda

Characters

1) Snout as long as or longer as diameter of eye.
2) One long dorsal fin with strong spines in anterior part.
●) Body blueish-silvery (after death silvery), occasionally with numerous vertical stripes.
Usually 20 to 30 cm, max. 60 cm length.

Similar species

Red sea bream - diameter of eye larger than snout; black spot above pectoral fins; colouration reddish.

Biology

Lives over seagrass and sandy to rocky grounds; down to max. 300 m depth. Occasionally forms big swarms. Becomes female with one to two years and later on becomes male. Spawning season in February to May; males defend the eggs, which are laid in a ground hollow by the female ; hatching occurs after about 9 days.

Diet

Feeds on algae and seagras, as well as on small crustaceans and other invertebrates.

Importance

Important food fish.