Fishby LogoFishby

Salema

Manusear com cuidado

Sarpa salpa

Também conhecido como: Salema porgy, Dreamfish, Saupe, Goldline

Tem uma foto? Identifique peixes instantaneamente com o app Fishby.

Abrir o app

Descrição

Sarpa salpa, commonly known as Salema or Salema porgy, is a species of sea bream, a marine fish in the family Sparidae. It is a distinctive fish recognized by its elongated, oval body and prominent golden-yellow longitudinal stripes. This species is primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae and seagrasses, and is known for forming large schools. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

Características físicas

Formato do corpo
elongated
Coloração
Silvery-grey body with 10-12 prominent golden-yellow longitudinal stripes running from behind the head to the caudal fin. Fins are generally dusky or yellowish.
Tipo de escama
ctenoid
Posição da boca
terminal
Características distintivas
10-12 golden-yellow longitudinal stripes, Small, terminal mouth with incisor-like teeth, Relatively small eyes, Forked caudal fin
Nadadeira dorsal
Single dorsal fin with 11-12 spines and 13-15 soft rays.
Nadadeira caudal
Deeply forked caudal fin.
Nadadeira peitoral
Moderately sized pectoral fins.
Nadadeiras características
Pelvic fins are relatively small and located beneath the pectoral fins.

Dicas de identificação

Golden Stripes

The most distinctive feature is the 10-12 bright golden-yellow longitudinal stripes along its silvery-grey body. No other common Mediterranean or Atlantic fish has this exact pattern.

Body Shape

Its elongated, oval body shape is characteristic of the Sparidae family, but combined with the stripes, it's unique.

Mouth and Teeth

Observe its small, terminal mouth with incisor-like teeth, adapted for grazing on algae.

Schooling Behavior

Often seen in large, dense schools, especially near seagrass beds or rocky outcrops.

Habitat

Tipo de água
saltwater
Profundidade
Typically found from the surface down to 70 meters (230 feet), occasionally deeper.
Ambiente
Coastal waters, rocky reefs, seagrass beds (Posidonia oceanica meadows), sandy bottoms near rocky areas. Prefers clear waters.
Distribuição geográfica
Eastern Atlantic Ocean from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, including the Canary Islands, Madeira, and Cape Verde. Also widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

Informações sobre aquário

  • Nível de cuidado: advanced
  • Temperamento: peaceful
  • Alimentação: herbivore
  • Tamanho mínimo do aquário: 500 gallons (1890 liters) for a small school
  • Temperatura: 18-24°C (64-75°F)
  • Nível de pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Dureza da água: 8-12 dKH
  • Compatibilidade: Best kept in species-specific tanks or with other peaceful, herbivorous fish of similar size. Avoid aggressive or predatory species.
  • Requisitos especiais: Requires a large tank with ample swimming space and plenty of live rock or structures for grazing on algae. A mature tank with stable water parameters is crucial. They are schooling fish, so keeping them in groups of 5 or more is recommended for their well-being.

Informações no ambiente natural

  • Estado de conservação: least concern
  • Sazonalidade: Can be found year-round, but fishing activity may vary seasonally. Spawning typically occurs in autumn and winter.
  • Preço de mercado: Varies by region, generally moderate.
  • Importância comercial: medium
  • Sabor: Mild, somewhat earthy, can be slightly bitter if not properly prepared due to its herbivorous diet.
  • Textura: Flaky, white flesh.
  • Métodos de preparo: Grilled, Baked, Fried, Steamed
  • Valor nutricional: Good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, consumption of the head and internal organs is not recommended due to potential hallucinogenic properties.

Fatos principais

Hallucinogenic Fishinteresting

Sarpa salpa is one of the few fish species known to cause ichthyoallyeinotoxism, a type of food poisoning that can induce vivid hallucinations, nightmares, and other neurological disturbances. This effect is attributed to certain toxins (possibly indole alkaloids) accumulated from its diet of algae and phytoplankton, particularly during specific seasons or in certain geographical areas.

Dietary Shiftbehavior

Juvenile Salema are omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, but as they mature, they become almost exclusively herbivorous, grazing on algae and seagrasses. This dietary shift is accompanied by changes in their dentition.

Protandrous Hermaphroditeevolution

Sarpa salpa is a protandrous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals mature first as males and later transition to females. This sexual dimorphism is not easily observable externally.

Schooling Behaviorbehavior

Salema are highly social fish, forming large, dense schools that can number in the hundreds or even thousands of individuals. This schooling behavior provides protection against predators.

Informações de segurança

Manusear com cuidado
  • Nível de segurança: caution
  • Venenoso: Não
  • Comestibilidade: not recommended
  • Observações de manuseio: While not venomous, Salema can possess hallucinogenic properties if consumed, particularly the head and internal organs. This phenomenon, known as ichthyoallyeinotoxism, is rare but documented. It is advisable to avoid consuming the head and viscera. Standard handling precautions for fish (e.g., avoiding sharp fins) apply.

Espécies similares

Striped Sea Bream

Lithognathus mormyrus

Has vertical dark bands instead of horizontal golden stripes. Body shape is generally more compressed and less elongated.

Annular Sea Bream

Diplodus annularis

Lacks the golden stripes and has a distinct black spot on the caudal peduncle. Body is more silvery with faint vertical bands.

White Sea Bream

Diplodus sargus

Also lacks golden stripes and has a prominent black saddle-like spot on the caudal peduncle. Body is silvery with several dark vertical bands.

Classificação científica

Reino
Animalia
Filo
Chordata
Classe
Actinopterygii
Ordem
Spariformes
Família
Sparidae
Gênero
Sarpa
Espécie
Sarpa salpa

Explore Salema

Identifique peixes em qualquer lugar

Grátis para iOS, Android e web. Identificação por foto, detalhes completos das espécies e muito mais.

Abrir no app