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Panga seabream (Pterogymnus laniarius) — Sparidae

Panga seabream

Pterogymnus laniarius
Family: Sparidae

The Panga seabream (Pterogymnus laniarius) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–150.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The panga seabream is a seabream (Sparidae) from coastal waters of southern Africa. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a deep, silvery body with a reddish tinge and strong molars. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives in schools over sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and eats molluscs, crustaceans and worms. It is an important commercial food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Panga seabream?

The Panga seabream has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Panga seabream live?

The Panga seabream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Africa: Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa

How big does the Panga seabream get?

The Panga seabream grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 27 cm.

Is the Panga seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Panga seabream 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 Panga seabream edible?

Yes, the Panga seabream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Panga seabream (Pterogymnus laniarius) — Sparidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — JMK (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Panga seabream (Pterogymnus laniarius) — Sparidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Panga seabream (Pterogymnus laniarius) — Sparidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Peter Southwood, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Panga seabream (Pterogymnus laniarius) — Sparidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Panga seabream sourced
Scientific name
Pterogymnus laniarius
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Panga; Panga seabream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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
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 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

More from the family Sparidae

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