Sharpsnout Seabream

Diplodus puntazzo

The sharpsnout seabream is a marine fish with an oval, compressed body and a slightly protrusible mouth. It features a silvery grey color with 6 or 7 vertical bars on its upper body, which can fade after death. This species is characterized by a forked caudal fin and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin. Typically, it grows up to 30 cm, although it can reach a maximum length of 60 cm. This species inhabits the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the Bay of Biscay to Sierra Leone, including the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, as well as the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It is commonly found in coastal waters over rocky or sandy substrates, at depths ranging from 0 to 60 meters. Younger fish may be found in brackish waters, such as lagoons and tidal pools. The sharpsnout seabream is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of items including seaweeds, crustaceans, and small fish. It is a gregarious species, often seen in schools, and exhibits hermaphroditic behavior. Spawning occurs from late summer to autumn, with peak activity in September and October. The IUCN lists this species as Least Concern.