Overview
Small gregarious fish, among the most common in the Mediterranean. Swims in enormous schools and feeds on plankton and small organisms.
Identification
Large eyesSmall mouthTransparent finsProminent lateral lineForked tailGolden stripesCharacteristic lines on the bodyColor plays depending on the light
- Body
- Elongated and laterally compressed body.
- Colouration
- Silver with golden hues and green or blue tones on the back.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very pronounced
- Growth
- Medium; grows quite rapidly in the early years of life.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sparidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sardinella auritaTrachurus mediterraneusSpondyliosoma cantharusDiplodus vulgarisSparus aurata
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- seagrass, reef, sand
- Geographic distribution
- Widespread in the Mediterranean Sea, northeastern Atlantic from the British Isles to Senegal.
- Micro-habitat
- Often found near sandy and rocky bottoms, forming large schools near the surface.
Prefers coastal areas with good food availability and clean waters.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- plankton, small crustaceans, algae
- Secondary prey
- fish larvae, mollusks, zooplankton
- Occasional prey
- organic debris, small invertebrates
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds by swimming in groups, filtering water with its mouth for plankton and small organisms.
- Natural predators
- tuna, groupers, dolphins, squid, seagulls
Diet varies significantly depending on the seasonal availability of plankton and small invertebrates.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Short distances, follows currents and food. Tends to be resident in large areas of the Mediterranean.
- Seasonal behaviour
- During the warm season, it moves to shallower waters, while in winter it retreats to deeper waters.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles form small schools for protection and tend to stay in shallow coastal waters.
- Adults
- Adults form large schools and can travel greater distances in search of food.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 10 and 50 meters
- Eggs
- Small transparent pelagic eggs.
- Larval stage
- Planktonic larvae that grow in the plankton until reaching juvenile size.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Bogue
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, tramonto
Nightnotte
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Active schools near surface.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Goes deeper.
Barometric trend
Rising
Moves deeper.
Stable
Normal surface activity.
Falling
Very active, compact schools.
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: high
Where to catch it
Best spots
harborsartificial reefsseagrass areasnear reefs
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trawlinglight trollinggill netslongline fishing
Other applicable
BolognesePesca A GalleggiantePesca A FondoBeach LedgeringBolognese LeggeraBolognese PesanteBeach FishingSabiki RigsSpinning UltraleggeroSurfcasting LeggeroTenkara Marino
Recommended baits
pieces of shrimpbread crumbslarvaesmall fish
Baits by pressure
Low
Sabiki standardPiuma biancaSabiki fluorescenteSoftbait piccolo / LRF
Medium
Gambero morto / Gambero
High
BigattinoEsca naturale (generica)Pane raffermoPasta / PastellaAlgaFormaggio
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Low resistance when hooked, moves in small circles in the water.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid skin injuries and not damage the transparent fins.
- Release
- Quickly release back into the water to increase survival chances.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- Specimens of boga can reach a maximum length of 36 cm and a weight of about 1 kg. In Italian waters, catches of boga over this size are considered exceptional.
- In the kitchen
- Used in typical dishes such as soups and mixed fried foods. The flesh is appreciated for its delicacy.
- Cultural notes
- Considered a common fish in Mediterranean fishermen's tales. Present in popular culture as a symbol of abundance.
- Historical notes
- Known since ancient times as one of the main fishing resources of the Mediterranean due to its large schools.
