Bronze Seabream

Pachymetopon grande

The Bronze Seabream, also known as Pachymetopon grande, is a marine fish with a distinctive bronze body and an iridescent blue head. It typically reaches lengths of up to 65 cm, though 35 cm is more common. The fish has a deep, rotund body with a smoothly convex dorsal profile, and older specimens often develop a noticeable blue bulge between the eyes. Its dorsal fin is characterized by 11 spines and 11 to 13 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 10 or 11 soft rays. This species is found in the southwestern Indian Ocean, from southern Mozambique to False Bay in South Africa, and off southern Madagascar. It inhabits shallow coastal waters, often near rocky areas, up to depths of about 25 meters. The Bronze Seabream is an omnivore, feeding on algae and benthic invertebrates, with juveniles having a preference for crustaceans. The Bronze Seabream is a rudimentary hermaphrodite and reaches sexual maturity at around 5.5 years of age. Spawning occurs between January and June in the Eastern Cape and during winter in KwaZulu-Natal, likely in small aggregations. The species is targeted by recreational and subsistence fishers, and while it is not commercially significant, it is considered vulnerable to overexploitation. Divers may encounter this sedentary fish in marine protected areas, where its numbers are more stable.