saltwater
Saddled seabream
Oblada melanura
Oval-shaped, compressed body with a silvery-grey coloration and dark horizontal stripes running along the flanks. It has a distinctive large black saddle-shaped spot surrounded by a whitish margin on the upper caudal peduncle, which is the key feature of the species.…
- Habitat
- Found in marine and brackish waters, typically inhabitin…
- Size & weight
- Usually measures between 15 to 25 cm in length, with a m…
- Diet
- Omnivorous, feeding primarily on small benthic invertebr…
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Physical characteristics
Oval-shaped, compressed body with a silvery-grey coloration and dark horizontal stripes running along the flanks. It has a distinctive large black saddle-shaped spot surrounded by a whitish margin on the upper caudal peduncle, which is the key feature of the species. The dorsal fin is continuous with spiny and soft rays, and the caudal fin is forked.
Habitat & distribution
Found in marine and brackish waters, typically inhabiting coastal rocky areas, seagrass meadows, and sandy bottoms. It is common in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the Bay of Biscay down to South Africa.
Behavior
Forms active schools in the mid-water column or near the surface, often swimming close to rocky shores and reefs. It is a diurnal species, active primarily during daylight hours.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding primarily on small benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, worms, and zooplankton, as well as some algae.
Reproduction
Spawning typically occurs during the spring and early summer months. Eggs and larvae are pelagic, drifting with ocean currents until settling into shallow coastal nursery habitats.
Ecological role
Acts as a predator of small benthic invertebrates and zooplankton, playing an important role in controlling invertebrate populations and serving as prey for larger pelagic predators and coastal fish species.
Similar species
Other sparid species such as the annular seabream (Diplodus annularis) which also has a caudal spot, but the saddled seabream has a more elongated body profile and the spot is strictly on the upper part of the caudal peduncle.
Identification tips
Look for the silvery, compressed body, horizontal faint stripes, and the prominent black saddle spot with a white border right at the base of the tail (caudal peduncle).
Interesting facts
The specific epithet 'melanura' comes from Greek words meaning 'black tail', directly referencing the prominent black patch near its caudal fin.