Picarel (Spicara smaris)

Scientific name: Spicara smaris Linnaeus, 1758

The Picarel (Spicara smaris) is a marine fish of the family Centracanthidae.

Biology

Depth range from 15-170 m but up to depth of 328 m in the eastern Ionian Sea. Inhabit Posidonia beds and muddy bottoms. Occur in schools except during breeding.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Spicara smaris
Family: Centracanthidae (Picarels)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 20.0
Common length: 14.0
Depth range: 15–328 m (49–1076 ft)
Environment: Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 15 - 328 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: entire Mediterranean, the Black Sea, southern Sea of Azov, and Atlantic coasts from Portugal to Morocco, including the Canary Islands and Madeira.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.15-3.07(?); tmax=7)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026