Dicentrarchus labrax branzino (it), European sea bass (en).
Foto: A.G. Cattaneo Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Superclass: Osteichthyes Class: Actinopterygii (spiny rayed fishes) Subclass: Neopterygii Infraclass: Teleostei Superorder: Acanthopterygii Order: Perciformes Suborder: Percoidei Family: Moronidae Genus: Dicentrarchus Gill, 1860 Species: Dicentrarchus labrax Morphology
5 cm Foto: P.Ceccuzzi
Max. weight: 9 to 10 kg (19.8 to 22 lbs); Full length: ca. 1 m. The body, covered by large scales, is usually silver-blue on the flanks; belly is white or pale yellow. Color varies with age and habitat. Younger individuals show black spots, that usually disappear by 1 year of age. The head is quite pointed, blunter in older fishes. (Wheeler 1975, Pickett and Pawson 1994). Habitat The European sea bass inhabits marine and estuarine coasts, around
h crops of rocks. c
e
t
l
They can survive in a
C
-
almost fresh water. L
P
J
Migratory behaviour in /
A deeper water is typical of S
A
N adults and linked to
y
s environmental and e
t
r seasonal conditions. u
o
C
Younger and spawning :
o
t females are found only in o
h inshore areas. P Behaviour and feeding
The European sea bass form shoals despite their aggressive and territorial behaviour. Migratory behaviour: shown under selected environmental and physiological conditions. Swimming power and speed: high, even in strong turbulence; increasing with size. Feeding: Sea bass is a predatory species, feeding on small pelagic fishes, sand smelts and bottom-living species. (Foto: P.Ceccuzzi) Flashing, feeding, aggressive behaviour
Flashing: rubbing one flank while on the bottom, so that a silvery flash suddenly appears. Aggressive posture: defensive, showing as many spines and making himself as larger as possible. When threatened, can occasionally stay buried in a soft bottom substrate, for 30-60 seconds, to escape predators.
Foto: P.Ceccuzzi Reproduction Mode of reproduction: dioecism, external fertilization. Spawning: once a year, from February to July. (Temperature must be kept between 9°C and 15°C). Number of eggs: 250,000 –500,000 (in relation to water temperature and female body weight) Eggs: planktonic, spherical, transparent, non sticky, hatching 3 –9 days after fertilization. Larval stage: 46 days (at 16°C), growing from 60 to 1000 µg. Melanophores are evident as a continous line from the snout to the base of the caudal fin. Dorsal and lateral row of melanophores only in the posterior part of the tail. Young fishes drift from open sea inshore, and complete mature in 4-5 years inhabiting coastal habitats. Diseases: bibliography Bacterial diseases : Edwardsiellosis, Epitheliocystis. Parasitic: • Isopoda : Cymothoidae (Ceratothoa oestroides, C. steindachneri J APPL ICHTHYOL, 2004, 20: 314-317; SCI MAR, 2004, 68:159-163; J FISH DIS, 2003, 26: 401-406; BULL EUR ASSN FISH P, 2001, 21: 26-29 . • Myxozoa: Sphaerospora dicentrarchi , S.testicularis, Pentacapsula cutanea FOLIA PARASIT, 2004, 51: 208-210; SCI MAR, 2004, 68: 159-163; SCI MAR, 2004, 68: 159- 163; J EUKARYOT MICROBIOL, 2001, 48: 395-413 • Monogenea: Diplectanum aequans BULL EUR ASSN FISH P, 2001, 21: 241-245;
• Lernanthropus kroyeri: DIS AQUAT ORGAN, 2003, 57: 177-180 Philasterides dicentrarchi: DIS AQUAT ORGAN, 2002, 49: 191-197 • Parasites of wild sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax from Norway: DIS AQUAT ORGAN, 2002, 48: 209-212 • Cymothoid isopod parasites in aquaculture: a review and case study of a Turkish sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and sea bream (Sparus auratus) farm: DIS AQUAT ORGAN, 2001, 46: 181-188 Links
Taxonomy browser (NCBI) Fish Base
ADW (Brosowski, J. 1999. "Dicentrarchus labrax" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January 25, 2005: linked before)