Fin's Fish Guide
The Blotched picarel (Spicara maena) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 25 cm.
Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, above sandy, muddy and seagrass bottoms.
Description
The blotched picarel is a slender schooling fish of the family Sparidae reaching about 25 cm. The elongate, silvery body has a far-protrusible mouth and bears a conspicuous dark, square blotch in the middle of the flank; breeding males colour a fine blue with pale markings and become deeper-bodied. The species lives in large schools over sand, mud and seagrass bottoms of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the adjacent eastern Atlantic. It feeds on zooplankton and small bottom animals, which it sucks up with its protrusible mouth. Like many sea breams it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with females changing into males that guard a nest pit in the breeding season. The picarel is a much-caught pan and food fish in the Mediterranean region.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Blotched picarel?
The Blotched picarel has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Slender little schooling fish with a far protrusible mouth and a striking dark, square blotch in the middle of the flank; in courtship the males turn blue.
Where does the Blotched picarel live?
The Blotched picarel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, above sandy, muddy and seagrass bottoms.
How big does the Blotched picarel get?
The Blotched picarel grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.
Is the Blotched picarel dangerous to humans?
No, the Blotched picarel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Blotched picarel edible?
Yes, the Blotched picarel is commonly eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Blotched picarel and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Spicara
More from the family Sparidae
Want the complete picture on the Blotched picarel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blotched picarel is one of 12,519 species in the app.