Auxiliary Bream (Pagellus Acarne)

Latin name: Pagellus acarne
Common name: Auxiliary bream
In other languages: E: Aligote, F: Pageot acarne, D: Achselfleck-Brasse
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Sparidae
Genus: Pagellus

Habitat: Waters from 15 metres down to 100 metres, sandy substrates.

Behaviour: This hermaphrodite, whose primal phase is male, is in many ways very similar to the pagellus bogaraveo. Its overall preference for strata and topography is identical to bogaraveo with the only differing factor being the depth at which it can be found. It has also been claimed that this fish is hardly ever seen by divers, though in the waters off Gibraltar we have seen shoals of these fish ranging over the sandy substrata on the eastern side of the bay.

Size: Common: 10 - 25cm, maximum: 36cm.

Shape: Small, curved with sharp teeth.

Colour: They have a black spot at the base of the pectoral fin whereas the species bogaraveo has a black spot at the beginning of the lateral line and above the pectoral fin. If seen only fleetingly, as can be the case when diving, you can confidently distinguish the species via these spots.