Scientific Name
Sparus aurata

Common Name
Gilthead seabream

Biology
Found in seagrass beds and sandy bottoms as well as in the surf zone commonly to depths of about 30 m, but adults may occur to 150 m depth. A sedentary fish, either solitary or in small aggregations. In spring, they often occur in brackish water coastal lagoons and estuaries. Mainly carnivorous, accessorily herbivorous (Ref. 3688). Feed on shellfish, including mussels and oysters. One of the most important fishes in saline and hypersaline aquaculture. Utilized fresh and eaten steamed, pan-fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9987).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Porgies (Sparidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: British Isles, Strait of Gibraltar to Cape Verde and around the Canary Islands. Also in the Mediterranean. Reports from New Zealand refer to Pagrus auratus (Foster 1801) (Ref. 5755, 9258). Reported from the Black Sea (Ref. 12781).

Range

62°N - 15°N, 17°W - 43°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

150 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 1 - 150 m (Ref. 35388), usually 1 - 30 m (Ref. 54890)

Trophic Level

3.26 s.e. 0.48 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

70.0 cm

Common Length

35.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.28; tmax=11; tm=2-3)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated