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Sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) — Sparidae

Sharpsnout seabream

Diplodus puntazzo
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–150.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sharpsnout seabream is a deep sea bream of the family Sparidae reaching about 60 cm. The oval, silvery-grey body bears numerous narrow dark cross-bars and stands out for its strikingly pointed, conical snout with protruding incisors, with which the fish nibbles growth and prey from hard surfaces. The species lives over rocks and mixed bottoms of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, from shallow to moderate depths. 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 sharpsnout seabream is a valued, hard-fighting sport and food fish, and is also farmed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharpsnout seabream?

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

Where does the Sharpsnout seabream live?

The Sharpsnout seabream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Sharpsnout seabream get?

The Sharpsnout seabream grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Sharpsnout seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharpsnout seabream is harmless to humans.

Is the Sharpsnout seabream edible?

Yes, the Sharpsnout seabream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitssnuit-zeebrasem inferred
English name
Sharpsnout seabream verified
Scientific name
Diplodus puntazzo
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Puntazzo; Sharpsnout sea bream; Sharpsnout seabream; Sheephead bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 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, schuwe 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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