Description
White bream
Common Name: White bream
Scientific Names: Diplodus sargus
Description: These are deep bodied, oval shaped fish with a steep head profile which, in this area, grow up to 15cm. They are olive-silver in colour with a dark saddle over the tail stem and a black edge to the tail fin and gill cover and striking and distinctive iridescent purple-white pelvic fins; they can have vertical bars on their flanks but these fade as juveniles grow into adults.
Distinctive Features: The pelvic fins are a striking and distinctive iridescent purple-white colour.
Abundance: They occur as individuals and in small shoals of 2-10 fish, at every site.
Habitat & Behaviour: White bream are found in both rocky and sandy habitats, and up in the water column. At some sites they are the first species which greets you as you get in the water. They seem to be attracted to people stirring up sediment in the shallows. They often follow other species that are feeding, in particular goatfish. They are also regularly seen following divers, picking off food disturbed by the divers’ fins.
Reaction to Snorkellers & Divers: They are extremely wary of snorkellers diving from the surface, although less wary of divers.
Text: Bob Earll
Photo: Russell & Gill Bennett
Video: Julia Jagoditsch
There are no reviews yet.