Fin's Fish Guide
The Picarel (Spicara smaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 24 cm.
Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, above sandy, muddy and seagrass bottoms.
Description
The picarel is a slender, silvery schooling fish of the family Sparidae reaching about 24 cm. The elongate body has a far-protrusible mouth and bears a dark, squarish spot in the middle of the flank; breeding males colour a fine blue with pale stripes. 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.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Picarel?
The Picarel has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender, silvery small schooling fish with a far protrusible mouth and a dark blotch in the middle of the flank; males turn blue in the spawning season.
Where does the Picarel live?
The 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 Picarel get?
The Picarel grows to a maximum of about 24 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.
Is the Picarel dangerous to humans?
No, the Picarel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Picarel edible?
Yes, the Picarel is commonly eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the 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 Picarel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Picarel is one of 12,519 species in the app.