Common Two-Banded Bream (Diplodus Vulgaris)

Latin name: Diplodus vulgaris
Common name: Common two-banded bream
In other languages: E: Sargo mojarra, F: Sar à tete noire, D: Zweibindenbrasse
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Sparidae
Genus: Diplodus

Habitat: It lives close to the coastline in waters down to 20 metres, in clear waters it can be found deeper, but the home range for this species is above the 20 metres mark.

Behaviour: The two-banded breams - as all diplodus - are hermaphrodite with the primal stage being male. Omnivorous in their feeding habits they lean towards the carnivorous side. Over sandy grounds they can be seen following mullets (mullus sermuletus and barbatus). Around rocks they follow small schools of saupe (boops salpa). From what we observed, they seem to accompany other species while they are feeding, which points to them being able to feed at the expense of others rather than their own.

Diet: Omnivore.

Size: Common: 18 - 25cm, maximum: 45cm.

Shape: Large head and deep body.

Colour: Greyish, greenish or brownish with distinctive black napes.

Did you know? This fish will feed from a diver's hand if the diver has the patience to wait at a given spot and to be repetitious in his actions. Over a given period of time the approach will be made by the fish and not by the diver, as the fish is in anticipation of getting a free meal.