Spicara smaris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Picarel
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Sparidae (Porgies)
Max. size:  24.2 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 29.4 g
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 15 - 328 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: entire Mediterranean, the Black Sea, southern Sea of Azov, and Atlantic coasts from Portugal to Morocco, including the Canary Islands and Madeira (Ref. 7349).
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following characters: protractile premaxilla; head length equals and longer than body depth; lateral line scales 75 or more; a black spot on the body side above the pectoral fin; body gray above and silvery below; color varies with age, sex and season (Ref. 124120).
Biology:  Depth range from 15-170 m but up to depth of 328 m in the eastern Ionian Sea (Ref. 56504). Inhabit Posidonia beds and muddy bottoms. Occur in schools except during breeding (Ref. 7081).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 August 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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