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Annular seabream (Diplodus annularis) — Sparidae

Annular seabream

Diplodus annularis
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Annular seabream (Diplodus annularis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–90.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, over seagrass and mixed bottoms in shallow water.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The annular seabream is a small sea bream of the family Sparidae reaching about 28 cm. The oval, silvery-grey body bears a conspicuous black ring or band around the tail base and has yellowish pelvic fins. The species lives in schools over seagrass beds, sand and rock bottoms of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, mainly in shallow coastal water. It is an omnivore feeding on worms, shellfish, crustaceans and algae. Like many sea breams it is a protandrous hermaphrodite, starting as a male and later becoming female. Despite its modest size it is a much-caught and valued pan and sport fish in the Mediterranean region.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Annular seabream?

The Annular seabream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small seabream with a striking black ring around the caudal peduncle and yellowish pelvic fins.

Where does the Annular seabream live?

The Annular seabream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, over seagrass and mixed bottoms in shallow water.

How big does the Annular seabream get?

The Annular seabream grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 13 cm.

Is the Annular seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Annular seabream is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Annular seabream edible?

Yes, the Annular seabream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Annular seabream (Diplodus annularis) — Sparidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) maltamama, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Annular seabream (Diplodus annularis) — Sparidae — 3
amphitrite_gr (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Annular seabream (Diplodus annularis) — Sparidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Alberto Romeoalbertoromeo@neomedia.ithttp://www.romeofotosub.it (CC BY 3.0)
Annular seabream (Diplodus annularis) — Sparidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Roberto Pillon (CC BY 3.0)

Easily confused with

These species look like the Annular seabream and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Annular seabream verified
Scientific name
Diplodus annularis
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Annular sea bream; Annular seabream; Annular bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Average length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, over seagrass and mixed bottoms in shallow water. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Worms, shellfish, crustaceans and algae sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protandrous (male first) verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
17.0 verified
Seasonality
Forms shoals over seagrass beds; a protandrous hermaphrodite that starts as a male and later becomes female. sourced
Special features
Small seabream with a striking black ring around the caudal peduncle and yellowish pelvic fins. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Diplodus

More from the family Sparidae

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