Zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus)

Zebra seabream

Diplodus cervinus

Also known as: Zebra bream

Zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus)
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

Usual size

25–40 cm

Maximum

55 cm

Where

Rock

When

Rough abundance from shore in each sea

Gulf of Cádiz

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Mediterranean and Balearics

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Canary Islands

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

All year over fairly deep rocky bottoms and drop-offs. In the Canaries it is often caught from shore; on the mainland it is scarcer.

Natural baits

  • Crab
  • Mussel
  • Limpet
  • Worms

How to recognise it

Like a big white seabream but with 5 broad dark vertical bands, thick lips and a slightly protruding snout.

Tip

Warier than the white seabream: fine leader, crab or limpet bait and fish tight to the rocks with some swell.

Minimum size and rules by area

Atlantic Andalusia

No size limit

Mediterranean Andalusia

Min. 15 cm

Ceuta

Min. 15 cm

Melilla

Min. 15 cm

Murcia

Min. 15 cm

Valencia region

Min. 15 cm

Catalonia

Min. 30 cm

At most 3 per person per day.

Balearic Islands

Min. 15 cm

Canary Islands

No size limit

No size in the Canary Islands rules; as a guide, white seabream must be 22 cm.

Fish are measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail; squid and cuttlefish by the mantle. If it is undersized, release it alive.

Official sources →