Home › Species › Fish › Black seabream

Black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus)

Key facts

Scientific name
Spondyliosoma cantharus
Common name
Black seabream
Category
Fish
Family
Sparidae
Genus
Spondyliosoma
Size
25–60 cm
Depth
0–300 m
IUCN status
Least concern (LC)
Danger level
Harmless
Habitats
rocky-reef, seagrass
Behaviours
schooling
Ocean zones
East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean

Description

Spondyliosoma cantharus reaches 60 cm. Mediterranean and East Atlantic seabream with silver-gray to brown-bronze body, elongated and laterally compressed. Terminal males develop very distinctive blue-purple coloration on head and back during reproduction. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Lives in schools from 0 to 300 m on rocky bottoms and seagrass of Mediterranean and temperate Atlantic. Builds sediment nests defended by males. Important commercial fishery. Sought-after photo subject for spectacular spawning male colors.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Black seabream?
Black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus) reaches 25–60 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Black seabream?
Black seabream is found between 0–300 m deep.
Is the Black seabream dangerous to divers?
Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Black seabream?
IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Black seabream?
Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.

Other species in the family Sparidae

  • Spicara smaris - Picarel
  • Spicara maena - Blotched picarel
  • Oblada melanura - Saddled seabream
  • Boops boops - Bogue
  • Diplodus puntazzo - Sharpsnout seabream
  • Diplodus annularis - Annular seabream

Sources

  • Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 127066)
  • Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
  • Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2392356)
  • Conservation: IUCN Red List
  • Encyclopedia: Wikipedia