Overview
Robust and wary species, loves deep reefs and mixed bottoms.
Identification
Pointed snoutVertical bandsOval bodyPointed dorsal finSmall mouthLarge eyesShiny scalesForked tail
- Body
- The body is oval and laterally compressed, with a pointed snout.
- Colouration
- Silvery gray with dark vertical bands, especially prominent in juveniles.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not noticeable
- Growth
- Moderate, continuous growth during early years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sparidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Diplodus sargusDiplodus vulgarisDiplodus cervinusSparus aurataPagellus erythrinusPagrus pagrus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- rock, sand, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Central and Eastern Mediterranean, sometimes along the Eastern Atlantic coasts.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among rocks and in reef crevices.
Prefers areas with rocks and crevices to hide from predators.
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
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, mollusks, annelids
- Secondary prey
- algae, small fish, echinoderms
- Occasional prey
- zooplankton, fish eggs
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds by scraping the surface of rocks and substrate for prey, often in small groups.
- Natural predators
- anglerfish, barracuda, dusky grouper, bottlenose dolphin
Diversified diet thanks to its adaptability to environmental changes.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Resident with minor seasonal movement.
- Seasonal behaviour
- During summer months, tends to move to shallower waters in search of food.
- Juveniles
- The young gather in sheltered areas near reefs.
- Adults
- Adults congregate in small groups near rocky formations.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 50 and 100 feet
- Eggs
- Small demersal eggs attached to rocks.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic, carried by currents until settling into coastal shelters.
- Sexual maturity
- 4-5 years
When to catch Sharpsnout sea bream
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
Very active and less wary.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays near deep rocks.
Barometric trend
Rising
Normal activity, fewer surface bites.
Stable
Good conditions, feeds regularly.
Falling
Increases activity before bad weather. Good time to fish.
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: high
Where to catch it
Best spots
cliffsrocky reefsmixed sandy bottomsareas with marine vegetation
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
bottom fishingspinninglight trollingdeep-sea fishing
Other applicable
BologneseRock FishingPesca A GalleggianteBolognese MediaBeach FishingBeach LedgeringBolentinoBolentino LeggeroBolentino MedioBolognese PesantePesca A FondoPesca A Fondo LeggeraSurfcastingSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting NotturnoSurfcasting Pesante
Recommended baits
shrimpmusselsannelidssquid pieces
Baits by pressure
Low
CozzaGambero morto / GamberoGranchio morto / pezzi
Medium
Gambero morto / GamberoGranchio morto / pezziGranchio violinistaGranchio vivo
High
CozzaRiccio di mareBibiBigattinoCannolicchioEsca naturale (generica)Verme americano
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Becomes combative and can evade capture among rocks.
- Handling
- Handle with care to avoid damaging its scales.
- Release
- Handle gently and release quickly back into the water.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA record for a Sarago pizzuto caught on a line is 4.2 lbs, registered in 1999 in Corsica. It's common to find specimens up to 16 inches long in the Mediterranean.
- In the kitchen
- Primarily valued in fish soups and grilled.
- Cultural notes
- In some Mediterranean cultures, a symbol of cunning and agility.
- Historical notes
- Known since ancient times for its taste and the challenge it presents to anglers.
