Overview
Very wary fish, loves sandy bottoms and clear water.
Identification
Small and terminal mouthProminent lipsSmall-sized scalesDark crossbandsModerate length finsSlightly arched backModerate sized eyesFusiform body
- Body
- Elongated body with a slightly rounded dorsal profile.
- Colouration
- Silvery color with dark crossbands on the body.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/little noticeable
- Growth
- Moderate, gradually grows to adult size over a few years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sparidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sparus aurataPagrus pagrusDiplodus sargusDiplodus vulgarisBoops boops
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs, pelagic
- Preferred bottom
- sand, seagrass
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea, the eastern Atlantic Ocean, and along the coasts of West Africa.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers sandy bottoms and hides among seagrass meadows.
Often spotted near seagrass meadows where it finds food and protection.
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
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small crustaceans, mollusks, polychaetes
- Secondary prey
- algae, small fish, zooplankton
- Occasional prey
- jellyfish, fish eggs
- Feeding behaviour
- Primarily feeds by foraging on the sandy bottom for small invertebrates.
- Natural predators
- sea bass, grouper, large predatory fish
Known for rooting around the sandy bottom in search of hidden food.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Resident, but may make small seasonal movements.
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active during warm months, moving toward the coast to spawn.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to form small groups in shallower waters.
- Adults
- Adults are more solitary, preferring deeper waters.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July, August
- Spawning depth
- between 10 and 50 meters
- Eggs
- Small pelagic eggs.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae that rapidly develop and become self-sufficient.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Striped sea bream
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daytramonto
Nightnotte, tarda sera
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
Very active and less wary.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Very wary, stays away from shore.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
sandy beachesriver mouthsharborsseagrass beds
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
surfcastingbolognesespinninglight trolling
Other applicable
Beach LedgeringPesca A FondoSurfcastingSurfcasting LeggeroSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting NotturnoBeach FishingBolentinoBolentino LeggeroBolentino MedioBologneseBolognese LeggeraBolognese MediaPesca A Fondo LeggeraPesca A GalleggianteRock Fishing
Recommended baits
ragwormKorean wormsardinesshrimp
Baits by pressure
Low
ArenicolaBibiCannolicchio
Medium
Gambero morto / Gambero
High
ArenicolaBibiCannolicchioVerme americanoVerme coreanoVongola / ClamAmo lungo con verme
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- The Mormora puts up a fight and tends to swim sideways to shake off.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid damaging the delicate fins.
- Release
- Always release in the water to prevent thermal shock.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The Mormora can reach a maximum length of 21 inches and weigh around 4 lbs. The largest catches in the Adriatic often exceed 16 inches. A species appreciated by Italian sport fishermen.
- In the kitchen
- The Mormora is valued in cooking, often baked or grilled and served with vegetables.
- Cultural notes
- Featured in many local fishermen's stories and a symbol of seasonal catches at fish markets.
- Historical notes
- Highly prized since ancient times by Greeks and Romans, often depicted in mosaics.
