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

Species

White seabream

Diplodus sargus(12 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

Mar Menuda(Tossa de Mar)Punta de la Mona(La Herradura)Illa de Tossa(Tossa de Mar)Tascó Petit(Illes Medes)El Santuari(Costa del Maresme)

Salema porgy

Sarpa salpa(2 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)

Common dentex

Dentex dentex(1 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)

Two-banded bream

Diplodus vulgaris(1 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)El Santuari(Costa del Maresme)

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