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Bronze bream (Pachymetopon grande) — Sparidae

Bronze bream

Pachymetopon grande
Family: Sparidae

The Bronze bream (Pachymetopon grande) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The bronze bream is a seabream (Sparidae) from shallow rocky and reef water of the coasts of southern Africa. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a deep, powerful, bronze-brown body with a blunt head and small mouth. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches among rocks and kelp for seaweeds, small invertebrates and crustaceans. It is a valued sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bronze bream?

The Bronze bream has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bronze bream live?

The Bronze bream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa

How big does the Bronze bream get?

The Bronze bream grows to a maximum of about 65 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Bronze bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Bronze bream is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bronze bream edible?

Yes, the Bronze bream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bronze bream (Pachymetopon grande) — Sparidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) springerbaaiecoestate, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bronze bream (Pachymetopon grande) — Sparidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bronze bream (Pachymetopon grande) — Sparidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Internet Archive Book Images (No restrictions)
Bronze bream (Pachymetopon grande) — Sparidae — 5
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bronze bream sourced
Scientific name
Pachymetopon grande
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Bronze bream; Bronze seabream; Blue hottentot verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Africa: Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pachymetopon

More from the family Sparidae

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