Meristic formula D, X + 10-12; A, III + 7-9; P, 15; V, I + 5; LL, 53-59  photo: Jakov Dulčić

SHORT DESCRIPTION Body oblong and moderately compressed. Dorsal fin continuous, the first two spines very small, but none of the other spines is elongated. Anal fin originated at the vertical of the 1st-2nd soft dorsal rays. Caudal fin forked. Pectoral fin pointed, its origin slightly in front of pelvic fin origin. Terminal mouth, jaws not reaching back to vertical of eye. Dorsal profile of head convex, large specimens with bulged nape. 4-6 canines teeth in upper and lower jaws. Two series of molar teeth in each lateral side of each jaw. Body covered with scales which are absent from dorsal and anal fin base. color : dorsal surface brown-red becoming pinkish-silvery on the belly. Body covered with numerous bright blue spots. common size : 10-50 cm (max. 100 cm). DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Pagrus pagrus – No blue spots on the body. P. auriga and P. coeroleostictus – The 3rd-5th dorsal spines elongated. Pagellus spp. – Bands of small conical teeth at the anterior of both jaws. Dentex spp. – No molar teeth. Other sparids – Body color not red or pink. BIOLOGY / ECOLOGY Feeds on invertebrates mainly hard shell mollusks and crustaceans. Spawning season in the original distribution region in early summer. Eggs (diameter of 1.2 mm) and larvae planktonic. habitat : near rocky, sandy or muddy substrate at 30-200 m.

1st MEDITERRANEAN RECORD Croatia, Island Molat, 2007 [2004]. DISTRIBUTION Worldwide : Japan, Korea and Southern China. Mediterranean : Croatia, Island Molat (central-eastern Adriatic) (Dulčić and Kraljević, 2007). ESTABLISHMENT SUCCESS Rare, several specimens were collected near Zadar at the northern Adriatic Sea. MODE OF INTRODUCTION Mariculture. IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS Considered in the countries of its original distribution, especially in Japan, as a highly esteemed fish used in special occasions such as weddings, New Year's and various festivals. Pagrus major was introduced as a mariculture species to in several Mediterranean countries such as Italy, Cyprus and Croatia. The specimens collected in Croatia are evidently escapee from the mariculture venture in the Mediterranean.

KEY REFERENCES Dulčić J. and Kraljević M., 2007. On the record of red seabream Pagrus major (Temminck and Schlegel, 1843) (Osteichthyes: Sparidae) in the Adriatic Sea. Scientia Marina, 7: 15-17.   Eggleston D., 1974. Sparidae. FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Eastern Indian Ocean (Fishing area 57) and Western Central Pacific (Fishing area 71), Vol. 4. Fischer W. and Whithead P.J.P. (eds). FAO of the United Nations, Rome. Kraljević M. and Dulčić J., 1999. Intergeneric hybridization in Sparidae (Pisces: Teleostei): Dentex (Dentex) dentex♀ x Pagrus major ♂ and P. major ♀ x D. dentex ♂. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 15: 171-175.       FEEDBACK / COMMENTS TO AUTHORS

Last update of the species sheet: January 2009 ©ciesm 2002