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Roman seabream (Chrysoblephus laticeps) — Sparidae

Roman seabream

Chrysoblephus laticeps
Family: Sparidae

The Roman seabream (Chrysoblephus laticeps) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–100.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Roman seabream is a seabream (Sparidae) from coastal waters of southern Africa. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a deep, reddish body with strong molars. It has a brick-red body with a white band across the nape and lives a resident life on rocky reefs. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches reefs and sand and mud bottoms for molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins, which it crushes. Many seabreams change sex. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roman seabream?

The Roman seabream has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Roman seabream live?

The Roman seabream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa

How big does the Roman seabream get?

The Roman seabream grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 32 cm.

Is the Roman seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Roman 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 Roman seabream edible?

Yes, the Roman seabream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Roman seabream (Chrysoblephus laticeps) — Sparidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Lara, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Roman seabream (Chrysoblephus laticeps) — Sparidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Roman seabream (Chrysoblephus laticeps) — Sparidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Georgina Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Roman seabream (Chrysoblephus laticeps) — Sparidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Georgina Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Roman seabream sourced
Scientific name
Chrysoblephus laticeps
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Roman; Roman seabream; Romar verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Average length (cm)
32.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
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

Same genus Chrysoblephus

More from the family Sparidae

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