Temperate Eastern Atlantic Ocean - List of fishes

It is found between 30 and 200 meters deep. It lives near cavities where it takes refuge in case of danger. The male has large pectoral fins and is surrounded by a harem of a dozen females. If it dies, the dominant female becomes a male (protogynous hermaphroditism).

Fertilization is internal. The male uses its anal fin to fertilize the female. The latter deposits a packet of eggs that the male will keep in the mouth until hatching. During the period, it does not eat and can starve to death if it has not accumulated enough reserves.

It often looks for food at the bottom. At nightfall, it rises to the surface to eat zooplankton. It sometimes is subject to overfishing in the Mediterranean. It is also used as a bait to catch tuna.

It owes its name of pomfrets to its coloration reminiscent of a chestnut. In spring, males defend a nesting area and ventilate the eggs until they hatch. Juveniles are electric blue and live in small groups.

Large males can be recognized by their green backs, their white bellies and their broad orange line on the flanks. The coloration, associated with a characteristic swimming, is used to impress other males and attract the attention of females, but also predators.

It is called 'Loup de Mer" in the Mediterranean and "Bar" in the Atlantic. The species has been known and has been appreciated for its meat since the Antiquity. Unfortunately, it is threatened by overfishing. Today, most of the bars consumed in Europe are raised in farms.

It differs from other bream species by its smaller size and golden reflections. It is a hermaphrodite species protandrous: males become females during their lives. Its meat is less appreciated than other sparidae (sea bream, bream ...).

Unlike other bream species living in the Mediterranean, it has elongated jaws. It is often found in groups formed by other species of fish (bream, salemas). It is highly sought after by fishermen because its flesh has a very fine taste.

They often live in small groups. It teeth allows it to crush the shells and shells of its prey (sea urchins, crustaceans, bivalves ...). It is prized for its meat, with a very fine taste.

It is sometimes called the "Saint Anthony" because of the black strip on the back of it head that resembles the hood of a monk. It is often found in groups with other species of bream. It is highly sought after by fishermen.