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Seventyfour seabream (Polysteganus undulosus) — Sparidae

Seventyfour seabream

Polysteganus undulosus
Family: Sparidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Seventyfour seabream (Polysteganus undulosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Mozambique, South Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The seventyfour seabream is a large seabream (Sparidae) from coastal waters of southern Africa. The species grows to about 1.2 metres and has a deep, blue-silver body with golden longitudinal lines. As a bottom-oriented predator it lives around deeper rocky reefs and hunts small fish and crustaceans. Once an important commercial fish, it is critically endangered through heavy overfishing. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Seventyfour seabream?

The Seventyfour seabream has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Seventyfour seabream live?

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

How big does the Seventyfour seabream get?

The Seventyfour seabream grows to a maximum of about 120 cm. On average the species is around 80 cm.

Is the Seventyfour seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Seventyfour 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 Seventyfour seabream edible?

Yes, the Seventyfour seabream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Seventyfour seabream (Polysteganus undulosus) — Sparidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Seventyfour seabream (Polysteganus undulosus) — Sparidae — 3
Robin E. Stobbs (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Seventyfour seabream (Polysteganus undulosus) — Sparidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Devon Bowen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Seventyfour seabream (Polysteganus undulosus) — Sparidae — 5
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
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All data

Identification

English name
Seventyfour seabream sourced
Scientific name
Polysteganus undulosus
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Seventy-four; Seventyfour seabream; Seventy-four seabream verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
120.0 verified
Average length (cm)
80.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: 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 Polysteganus

More from the family Sparidae

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