Seabreams

Sparidae

The everyday fish of Mediterranean diving — bream schools shimmer silver over posidonia meadows and rocky reefs. Not flashy, but they're the heartbeat of the ecosystem, and spotting a big dentex or gilt-head among them is always a thrill.

Last updated April 2026

Two-banded breamDiplodus vulgaris17 photos

Least ConcernUp to 45 cm1–30mRocky reefPosidonia

Recognize it by the two dark vertical bands — one behind the head and one before the tail — on a silver-gold body. Very common on Med reefs.

Schools along rocky reefs and walls, often mixing with white seabream — a staple of every Mediterranean dive.

Observed at

Mar Menuda(Tossa de Mar)Las Planetas(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)Ullastres III(Palamós)El Santuari(Costa del Maresme)La Virgen(Costa del Maresme)El negre(Costa del Maresme)Punta de la Mona(La Herradura)Tascó Petit(Illes Medes)

Salema porgySarpa salpa2 photos

Least ConcernUp to 50 cm1–20mRocky reefPosidonia

A silvery, oval-bodied fish with thin golden stripes running along its flanks. Abundant on Mediterranean rocky reefs — schools can number in the hundreds.

Grazes on algae in loose schools along shallow reefs — sometimes called the 'dream fish' due to historical reports of hallucinogenic effects when eaten.

Observed at

Mar Menuda(Tossa de Mar)El Santuari(Costa del Maresme)Roca Muladera(Tossa de Mar)

White seabreamDiplodus sargus2 photos

Least ConcernUp to 45 cm1–30mRocky reefPosidonia

A robust silver-grey bream with bold black vertical bars on the tail and a dark spot behind the gill cover. One of the most common Mediterranean reef fish.

Grazes in small schools along rocky walls and Posidonia meadows — curious and approachable, often the first fish divers notice.

Observed at

El Santuari(Costa del Maresme)Las Planetas(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)Túneles de Port Salvi(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)

Sharpsnout seabreamDiplodus puntazzo1 photos

Observed at

Ullastres III(Palamós)La Virgen(Costa del Maresme)

Common dentexDentex dentex1 photos

VulnerableUp to 100 cm10–50mRocky reefOpen water

A powerful, deep-bodied predator with a steep forehead and large eyes. One of the most prized sightings on Mediterranean dives — a sign of a healthy, well-protected reef.

Patrols reef edges and drop-offs, usually solitary or in small groups — wary of divers but will pass close on marine reserve dives.

Observed at

Roca Muladera(Tossa de Mar)

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