Common Name: Striped bream

Scientific Names: Lithognathus mormyrus

Description: This seabream grows up to about 30cm in the area. It has a longer and more gently sloping head profile than the White Seabream (number 2) and Two-banded Seabream (number 3). The pattern of the vertical black bands on an olive-grey coloured fish is very distinctive.

Distinctive Features: Thin, dark vertical stripes run from back to belly along the whole length of the body.

Abundance: As individuals or in loose groups of up to 10-20 fish. Common and characteristic of all the sites with sand and sea grass habitat.

Habitat & Behaviour: They are found in sandy areas taking mouthfuls of the sediment and ejecting this as they eat the small animals it contains. They are often the leaders of feeding groups (see video number 19) followed by other species.

Reaction to Snorkellers & Divers: Wary of surface diving snorkellers, but less so of divers. They will investigate foot or fin prints in the sand for disturbed food items.

Other Names: Marmora

Text: Bob Earll
Photo: Russell & Gill Bennett
Video: Julia Jagoditsch