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FISH GUIDE · Sea

Annular seabream: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Diplodus annularis

Annular seabream are more than just small seabream to count: their markings and association with seagrass call for a dedicated approach. This guide suggests a light presentation along a clear edge.

Catalogue names : Pataclet. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Found in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and eastern Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to Gibraltar, around the Canary Islands and Madeira according to DORIS.

  • Documented presence : Eastern Atlantic
  • Documented presence : Mediterranean Sea
  • Documented presence : Black Sea
  • Documented presence : Bay of Biscay

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

Diplodus annularis has a dark, almost ring-shaped mark at the tail base and yellow lower fins. The body is silver with yellow reflections. Compare these features with two-banded seabream, whose band behind the head is distinctive; age cannot be deduced from size alone.

Habitat

In the Mediterranean in particular, it inhabits seagrass meadows and may also occur on other coastal bottoms or in lagoons. To fish without damaging the habitat, aim for a visible gap or edge. The presence of Posidonia does not permit destructive anchoring or uprooting plants to free the line.

Diet

Worms, crustaceans, molluscs and other small bottom-dwelling invertebrates; algae may be swallowed while searching for prey.

Behaviour

Small invertebrates are part of its diet. A small morsel presented close to vegetation is therefore a practical hypothesis. Do not regard every tremble as an identifiable bite: other fish use these margins, and leaves may move the hook.

Indicative biological size

About 10–20 cm in adults according to DORIS; a descriptive range, not a legal size limit.

Fishing context and precautions

  1. From permitted access, locate a channel of open water beside vegetation. Prepare a light float, simple shotting and a small hook matched to the bait.
  2. Attach a piece of worm or shrimp without hiding the point. Place it a short distance away, avoiding casts into clumps.
  3. Let it travel along the channel, then retrieve before the line reaches the seagrass. Compare two heights while keeping the same bait.
  4. On a sustained indication, make gentle contact and retrieve through open water. Land without hoisting by the line. Quickly check the yellow fins and tail mark.

A distinctive feature

Juveniles are strongly yellow; this colour fades during growth from the rear towards the front of the body.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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