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Common two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris) — Sparidae

Common two-banded seabream

Diplodus vulgaris
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Common two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Sparidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–160.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The common two-banded seabream is a sea bream of the family Sparidae reaching about 45 cm. The oval, laterally compressed body is silvery-grey and bears two conspicuous black cross-bars: one just behind the head and one at the tail base. The mouth is small with strong cutting and grinding teeth, suited to crushing shellfish. The species forms schools over rocks and seagrass beds in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, usually in shallow to moderate depths. It is an omnivore feeding on worms, shellfish, crustaceans and algae. Like many sea breams it is a protandrous hermaphrodite, starting as a male and later becoming female. It is a valued sport and food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common two-banded seabream?

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

Where does the Common two-banded seabream live?

The Common two-banded seabream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Common two-banded seabream get?

The Common two-banded seabream grows to a maximum of about 45 cm. On average the species is around 22 cm.

Is the Common two-banded seabream dangerous to humans?

No, the Common two-banded seabream is harmless to humans.

Is the Common two-banded seabream edible?

Yes, the Common two-banded seabream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweeband-zeebrasem verified
English name
Common two-banded seabream verified
Scientific name
Diplodus vulgaris
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Common two-banded sea bream; Common two-banded seabream; Twoband bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Average length (cm)
22.0 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 sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
160.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling 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 pier met klein haakje en aas van zeepier, garnaal of schelpdier 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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