#seabreams

1. Annular Seabream

2. White Seabream

3. Zebra Sea Bream 

4. Common two-banded Seabream

5. Sharpsnout Seabream

Seabreams are large marine fish found in the Black and Mediterranean sea. They are the members of the “Sparidae” family, belonging to the genus “Diplodus”. Apartfrom the Mediterranean sea, these fishes also present in the North-east Atlantic- from the Bay of Biscay to West Africa, including off-lying islands. Today, we will discuss five beautiful species of seabream and their characteristics.

Important Facts You Need To Know

White sea breams prefer to live on rocky and sandy bottoms in depths from 2 to 50 m. They eat seaweeds, benthic invertebrates, mollusks, crustaceans, etc. Let’s get more details of these five species and find out the similarities and differences that they possess.

1. Annular Seabream

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Annular Seabream fish is scientifically known as “Diplodus annularis”, and mostly found in the port environment and on the reefs. The coloration of their body is pink or slightly purple and has bright yellow pectoral fins. Amongst five, Annual seabream is the smallest one and can reach up to 20-25 cm in length and weighs about 2-3 hectograms. One or more specimens of “sea fleas” can be found on their body and even in their oral cavity, They consume algae, mussels, etc.

2. White Seabream

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White seabream or “Diplodus sargus cadenati” were found in the Canary Islands between 2000 to 2001. They can reach up to 46 to 404 mm in length and weigh more than two kg. These can live for 12 years. White seabreams are known for their widespread body along with five vertical lines and have a black spot on the caudal peduncle and a white line on the black colored ventral fins.

White sea breams are mostly found on reefs but also can live in different environments- from natural to artificial cliffs to ports to brackish areas. They are considered the largest species amongst other sea breams and difficult to catch. White seabreams feed on water plants, plankton, small crustaceans, etc.

3. Zebra Sea Bream

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The scientific name of the Zebra sea bream is “Diplodus cervinus”. This giant Mediterranean sea bream is 55 cm long and weighs more than 3 kg. They are known for their compressed lateral body, pointed snout, and thick lips. The color of its body is dark brown and has five to six dark black vertical bands. Zebra seabreams live in shallow and quite living areas like rocks, seabeds, slopes, wrecks, etc. They are omnivorous and feed on sea urchins, worms, plants, animal organisms.

4. Common two-banded Seabream

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Common two-banded seabream is also called “Black Head” fish. It is grey-silver in color and has two wide, well defined vertical black bands and a series of thin horizontal golden lines along the body. The maximum length of this fish is 45 centimeters and can exceed half a kilo of weight. These are group fish and found mixed with greater seabreams. Common two-banded seabream lives on rocky, sandy bottoms and also in natural reefs. Its diet consists mainly of crustaceans, cephalopods, sea worms.

5. Sharpsnout Seabream

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Sharpsnout seabream has other names like-Coral seabream, Sheepshead bream, Sheepshead sea bream, This fish is also scientifically known as “Diplodus Puntazzzo”. They are known for their silver-grey, oval-shaped body, conical snout, thin lips. These also have a single dorsal fin and a large black spot on the caudal peduncle. The maximum length of this fish is 60 cm. Sharp Snout seabream mostly prefers to stay over rocks and sandy bottoms of coastal surf zones. These eat crustaceans, seaweeds, and worms. 

Final Words