HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishTemperate bassesEuropean seabass European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Scientific name: Dicentrarchus labrax Linnaeus, 1758 The European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a freshwater fish of the family Moronidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 8–24°C (46–75°F). European seabass care at a glanceTemperature8–24°C (46–75°F) BiologyAdults manifest demersal behavior, inhabit coastal waters down to about 100m depth but more common in shallow waters. They are found in the littoral zone on various kinds of bottoms on estuaries, lagoons and occasionally rivers. They enter coastal waters and river mouths in summer, but migrate offshore in colder weather and occur in deep water during winter in the northern range. Young fish form school, but adults appear to be less gregarious. Feed chiefly on shrimps and mollusks, also on fishes. Juveniles feed on invertebrates, taking increasingly more fish with age. Adults piscivorous.. Spawn in batches. Spawning takes place in the spring near the British Isles, and earlier in its southern range. Eggs are pelagic. Marketed fresh or smoked. Highly sought by sport fisSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameDicentrarchus labraxFamilyMoronidae (Temperate basses)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length103Common length50.0Depth range10–100 m (33–328 ft)EnvironmentMarine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous; depth range 10 - 100 mClimateSubtropicalDistributionEastern Atlantic: Norway to Morocco, the Canary Islands and Senegal. Also known from the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Absent from White, Barents, Baltic and Caspian Seas.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yesResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.14; tm=2-4; tmax=30; Fec=230,000) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026