Overview
Very prized bottom fish, loves rocky and mixed bottoms.
Identification
Sensory barbelsVibrant colorationTransverse stripesSloped headGolden finsStriped patternColor variation during growth
- Body
- Elongated body with a pointed head and two barbels on the chin.
- Colouration
- Golden-red pattern with yellowish transverse bands.
- Sexual dimorphism
- absent/not noticeable
- Growth
- medium, reaches maturity in a few years
Taxonomy
- Family
- Mullidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Mullus barbatusUpeneus moluccensisParupeneus forsskaliUpeneus tragulaParupeneus barberinus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- rock, sand, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Mediterranean Sea, northeastern Atlantic from the Netherlands to Senegal.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among rocks and digs in sand or gravel to find food.
Prefers mixed bottoms ranging from reefs to sandy areas.
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 Mare NordPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, mollusks, marine worms
- Secondary prey
- small fish, shrimp, algae
- Occasional prey
- organic debris, plankton, fish eggs
- Feeding behaviour
- Uses barbels to detect hidden prey in the sandy bottom and substrate.
- Natural predators
- sea bream, grouper, octopus, squid, seagulls
Primarily carnivorous, easily adapts to what its habitat offers.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- residential with small seasonal movements
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active in summer and fall when the water temperature is warmer.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to seek shelter in shallow waters for protection.
- Adults
- Adults move to greater depths to feed and reproduce.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs that are small and transparent.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic and feed on zooplankton.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Surmullet
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 on bottom.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays very close to bottom.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
13°COptimal zone: 17-26°C29°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
submerged reefsmixed bottomsartificial barriersrocky areas
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
gillnetset netshand lineslonglines
Other applicable
BolentinoPesca A FondoBolentino LeggeroBolentino MedioBeach FishingSurfcasting Leggero
Recommended baits
shrimpsardine piecesmarine wormsshellfish
Baits by pressure
Low
ArenicolaBibiVerme americano
Medium
Gambero morto / Gambero
High
ArenicolaBibiVerme americanoVerme coreanoBigattinoEsca naturale (generica)Riccio di mare
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Puts up moderate resistance with short lateral runs.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid losing scales.
- Release
- Make sure it is well oxygenated before releasing.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The rockfish can reach a maximum length of about 40 cm and a weight slightly over one kilogram. It is prized by sport fishermen for its delicious flesh and is commonly sought along the Mediterranean coasts.
- In the kitchen
- Highly valued in fish soups and grilled.
- Cultural notes
- Appears in artworks and traditional Mediterranean dishes.
- Historical notes
- A prized fish since ancient times, often featured in Roman banquets.
