Saddled seabream
Oblada melanura
Special features
The Saddled seabream is hard to miss because it shimmers so silvery all over its body that it can flash like a spotlight when hit by sunlight at the right angle.
In addition, a black spot surrounded by two white rings is emblazoned on its tail fin stem.
Appearance
The Saddled seabream has a heavily flattened body with an oval shape which makes it speed through the water.
It has huge eyes that make up half of her face and a small mouth with a slight underbite.
Her body is silver-gray. It can be a maximum of 25cm long, but usually it becomes 15cm.
Natural enemies
Predatory fish
Dangerous/Venomous
Band bream is neither dangerous nor venomous.
Sketch
1. Black spot
2. Two white rings
3. Huge eye
4. Small mouth, slight underbite
Pro tips
The Saddled seabream is a very sociable creature who likes to travel in small or larger groups. It prefers rocky and sandy soils near seagrass meadows.
Young fish in particular stay close to the coast, while older animals swim into deeper zones.
Saddled seabream is an omnivore that eats algae and small invertebrates. The reproductory season of this species is particularly short between June and July.
Text: Carolina Leiter, Felician Hosp, Pia Balaka
Pic: Dive Dict
Illustration: Dive Dict
