Blackspot seabream
| Blackspot seabream | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Sparidae |
| Genus: | Pagellus |
| Species: | P. bogaraveo |
| Binomial name | |
| Pagellus bogaraveo (Brünnich, 1768) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo), also known as the red seabream, is a fish species in Sparidae family. It is widespread in the Eastern Atlantic from Norway, Strait of Gibraltar to Cape Blanc in Mauritania, Madeira, Canary Islands, and western Mediterranean; it has been also reported from Iceland.
Distribution
The blackspot seabream is largely found in the waters of the North Atlantic between Norway, Normandy, Iceland, and the British Isles, it is also found in islands off the Atlantic such as the Canary Islands and in the Mediterranean near the coast. The fish in the Atlantic inhabit generally deeper waters than those of the Mediterranean.
Habitat
The blackspot seabream spends much of its life in the mesopelagic or twilight zone. It is usually reported at depths of 150–300 m (490–980 ft) although in the Mediterranean it has been reported at depths of 400m and in the North Atlantic it can go as deep as 700m. Young of the species often live near the coastline whereas adult members oftentimes live over the continental shelf.
Diet
The red seabream has a varied diet, but it feeds largely on crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish. It can eat plant matter as well.
Reproduction
The blackspot seabream is hermaphroditic. Early in its lifecycle it is male. Between the ages of 2 and 7, however, it becomes female. Spawning occurs in the first half of the calendar year.
External links
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Pagellus bogaraveo" in FishBase. March 2013 version.