Red-Banded Seabream

Appearance

The body of Pagrus auriga is high-backed and laterally, heavily compressed with a steep head profile. The base colour is silver with five thick, vertical, red stripes, the most powerful in the middle of the body. Adult animals lose these red streaks with time.
The fins of the Red-Banded Seabream are also red and its broad mouth is striking.
It reaches a maximum size of 80 cm.
Its maximum proved age is 27 years.

Distribution

Its distribution area spreads from the coast of Portugal all the way to Angola. This includes islands such as Madeira and São Tomé. It is also distributed in some parts of the Mediterranean Sea. When diving in the Canary Islands it is rarely seen.

Status

Least Concern.

Behavior

While the young fish prefer to live in coastal areas, adult animals are also found further out and above all at greater depths.

Habitat

Rocky ground, down to a depth of 170m.

Food

Pagrus auriga feeds on crustaceans, snails, mussels, echinoderms and cephalopods.