Overview
Very appreciated fish, lives on mixed and sandy bottoms, often in small schools.
Identification
Convex head profileWell-defined lateral lineCtenoid scalesSmall mouthLarge, rounded eyesSmall, pointed teethLong pectoral finsForked tail
- Body
- Elongated and laterally compressed body.
- Colouration
- Pinkish coloration with silver hues; red fins.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very noticeable
- Growth
- Medium, with rapid growth in the first years, then stabilizing.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sparidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Pagellus bogaraveoDentex dentexSparus aurataPagrus pagrusDiplodus sargus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock, seagrass
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and along the Atlantic coast of Europe up to the British Isles.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among seagrass meadows and in areas with mixed seabeds.
Prefers areas rich in cover and natural hideouts.
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
- crustaceans, mollusks, annelids
- Secondary prey
- small fish, echinoderms, polychaetes
- Occasional prey
- plankton, algae
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds primarily at night, searching for small organisms on the seabed and in marine sediments.
- Natural predators
- groupers, barracuda, dolphins, gray sharks
Diet variety depends on the seasonal availability of prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Non-migratory
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active during the warm months due to abundant food in coastal habitats.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles are often found closer to shore in areas with marine vegetation.
- Adults
- Adults tend to remain in deeper waters and form small groups.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July, August
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, transparent and buoyant, small in size.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae develop in surface waters following currents.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Common pandora
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino
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
Actively feeds on bottom.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays deeper.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
seagrass meadowssubmerged reefssandy bottomsoffshore banks
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trammel nethandlinetrollingfixed nets
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoBolentino LeggeroBolentino MedioBologneseBolognese MediaPesca A Fondo LeggeraPesca A GalleggianteRock Fishing
Recommended baits
shrimpwormssardinessquid slice
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitKabura / Tai rubberSabiki fluorescenteSabiki standardSlow pitch jig
Medium
Calamaro interoGambero morto / GamberoGambero vivoSeppia mortaStriscia di calamaroFiletto di pescePezzo di pesce
High
ArenicolaVerme americanoVerme coreanoBibiCozzaEsca naturale (generica)Vongola / Clam
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights with quick, decisive movements but tires easily.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid stress and minimize injury risk.
- Release
- Release quickly into deeper water to ensure recovery.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The most famous catch of the pagello fragolino in Italian seas recorded a specimen of about 2 kg, considered an exceptional size for this species. In the Mediterranean, pagello fragolino over 1.5 kg are prized trophies in sport fishing.
- In the kitchen
- Valued for its delicate flesh, featured in dishes like fish soups and grills.
- Cultural notes
- Known in Mediterranean cuisine, historically caught with artisanal techniques.
- Historical notes
- Historically associated with life in fishing villages, part of artisanal fishing traditions.
