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Spottail seabream (Diplodus holbrookii) — Sparidae

Spottail seabream

Diplodus holbrookii
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spottail seabream (Diplodus holbrookii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–28.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The spottail seabream (Diplodus holbrookii) is a porgy of the western Atlantic, from Chesapeake Bay to Florida and the north-eastern Gulf of Mexico. It grows to 46 centimetres and lives in shallow salt and brackish coastal water, in bays, harbours and seagrass beds over flat, vegetated bottoms, usually at 1-28 metres. The torpedo-shaped, silver-grey body bears a conspicuous dark spot near the tail base. It feeds mainly on small invertebrates. The species is harmless and is taken in minor commercial and recreational fisheries.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spottail seabream?

The Spottail seabream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spottail seabream live?

The Spottail seabream lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spottail seabream get?

The Spottail seabream grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Spottail seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Spottail seabream is harmless to humans.

Is the Spottail seabream edible?

Yes, the Spottail seabream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekstaartzeebrasem inferred
English name
Spottail seabream verified
Scientific name
Diplodus holbrookii
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Spottail Pinfish; Spottail pinfish; Spottail seabream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey verified
Pattern
Spots verified
Tail shape
Forked verified
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous verified
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
28.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met zeepier, garnaal of schelpdier op zandige kustplekken en zeegrasvelden. 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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