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Zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus) — Sparidae

Zebra seabream

Diplodus cervinus
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–300.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The zebra seabream is a deep, sturdy sea bream of the family Sparidae reaching about 55 cm. The oval, golden-grey body bears five broad, dark cross-bands, from which the species takes its name; the mouth has strong incisors and molars. The species lives over rocks and mixed bottoms of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, from shallow to moderate depths, often near surf and currents. As an omnivore it eats worms, shellfish, crustaceans and algae. Like many sea breams it is a protandrous hermaphrodite, starting as a male and later becoming female. The zebra seabream is a valued, hard-fighting sport and food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Zebra seabream?

The Zebra seabream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Zebra seabream live?

The Zebra seabream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Zebra seabream get?

The Zebra seabream grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Zebra seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Zebra seabream is harmless to humans.

Is the Zebra seabream edible?

Yes, the Zebra seabream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zebra-zeebrasem inferred
English name
Zebra seabream verified
Scientific name
Diplodus cervinus
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Zebra seabream; Zebra sea-bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protandrous (male first) verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Fishing method
Vanaf rotskust of boot met stevig haakje en aas van krab, zeepier of schelpdier; een sterke vechter sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Diplodus

More from the family Sparidae

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