Usual size
12–22 cm
Maximum
36 cm
Where
Rock · Harbours and breakwaters
When
Rough abundance from shore in each sea
Gulf of Cádiz
Mediterranean and Balearics
All year on rocks and seagrass meadows in shallow water; most active when the water is warm, from May to September.
Natural baits
- Prawn
- Worms
- Squid strips
- Mussel
Lures
- Micro soft baits and micro jigs (light tackle)
How to recognise it
Elongated, with 5–7 dark vertical bars, a blue patch on the belly and wavy blue and red lines on the head, like scribbles.
Tip
Greedy and territorial: it takes almost any small bait by the rocks. Release undersized fish carefully: it usually stays in the same spot.
Minimum size and rules by area
Atlantic Andalusia
Mediterranean Andalusia
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 18 cm; release smaller fish.
Ceuta
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 18 cm; release smaller fish.
Melilla
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 18 cm; release smaller fish.
Murcia
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 18 cm; release smaller fish.
Valencia region
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 18 cm; release smaller fish.
Catalonia
Balearic Islands
No minimum size in this zone's rules. Neighbouring regions: 18 cm; release smaller fish.
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 →