Overview
Herbivorous fish of posidonia meadows and reefs. Moves in schools and feeds mainly on algae.
Identification
Golden stripes on the bodyLong pectoral finsSmall headsLarge eyesSmall mouthsDeeply forked tails
- Body
- The body is elongated and laterally compressed.
- Colouration
- The coloration is silvery with golden longitudinal stripes.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very noticeable
- Growth
- Moderate, develops in the early years of life.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sparidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Diplodus sargusDiplodus vulgarisOblada melanuraSparus aurataLithognathus mormyrus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- posidonia, reef, rock
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea, along the eastern Atlantic coast from Western Europe to South Africa.
- Micro-habitat
- Often hides among seagrass beds and along reefs to evade predators.
Prefers seabeds rich in marine vegetation as shelter and food source.
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 Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Af Sudafrica AtlanticoPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- algae, diatoms, seagrass
- Secondary prey
- small crustaceans, protozoa, phytoplankton
- Occasional prey
- organic detritus, plant materials, small mollusks
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds mainly during the day, grazing on algae and seagrass from rocks and seagrass beds.
- Natural predators
- groupers, sea bass, bluefish, amberjacks
Adapted to a predominantly plant-based diet with occasional small invertebrates.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Resident with small seasonal movements along the coast.
- Seasonal behaviour
- In summer, tends to move to deeper waters to avoid high surface temperatures.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles form small groups near the shores for protection.
- Adults
- Adults join large schools that move together for feeding.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 5 and 20 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs with a very small diameter, typical of marine fish.
- Larval stage
- The larvae are planktonic and develop near the surface.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Salema
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, pomeriggio
Night—
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, feeds on rocks.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Less active, moves away.
Barometric trend
Rising
Reduced activity.
Stable
Good activity along reefs.
Falling
More active, feeds intensely.
Water temperature
13°COptimal zone: 17-26°C29°C
Preferred tide: high
Where to catch it
Best spots
seagrass bedsreefsriver mouthsports
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trollingbottom fishingcasting rodsnets
Other applicable
BolognesePesca A GalleggianteBolognese LeggeraBolognese MediaBeach FishingBeach LedgeringBolentinoBolentino LeggeroPesca A FondoPesca A Fondo LeggeraRock FishingSurfcastingSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting Notturno
Recommended baits
algaeshrimpmarine wormspaque
Baits by pressure
Low
AlgaPane raffermoPasta / Pastella
Medium
AlgaPane raffermoPasta / Pastella
High
AlgaPane raffermoPasta / PastellaBigattinoFormaggio
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- The Salpa tends to swim quickly in schools when caught.
- Handling
- Handle with care to avoid fin damage.
- Release
- Release gently into the water to avoid stressing the fish.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The salpa is known for its catches in the Mediterranean, where specimens over 2 kg are admired by sport fishermen for their resilience. Although uncommon, catches approaching 50 cm in length are documented in the Italian seas.
- In the kitchen
- Primarily consumed grilled or baked, popular along the Mediterranean coasts.
- Cultural notes
- Known for potential hallucinogenic effects if consumed, occasionally mentioned in seafaring tales.
- Historical notes
- Known since ancient times for its schooling behavior and delicate taste.
