The picarel

picarel

Scientific name	Spicara smaris
Descriptor	Linnaeus
Year of description	1758
IUCN category (World)	LC
Family	Sparidae
Genus	Spicara

Introduction

Spicara smaris, commonly known as picarel, is a salt water fish.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Average size

14 cm
Maximum size

24.2 cm
Longevity

6 year
Pattern

tasks

Average size

14 cm
Maximum size

24.2 cm
Longevity

6 year
Pattern

tasks

How to recognize the picarel ?

The picarel measures around 14 cm. The dominant males can however reach 24.2 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly bleu and gris body. The also has noir tasks.

Sexual dimorphism

The adult male is bigger than the female.

Behaviour & Life cycle

diet

carnivorous
Sociability

living in shoals
territorial

No
Way of living

diurnal

The picarel is a fish living in shoals naturally found at mid-depth. This species is carnivorous .

n general, this species does not care much about other animals crossing its path.

Reproduction

Reproduction

ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert
Hermaphrodite

protogynous

The picarel is a fish ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert. always born female. Growing up, individuals will change sex to become male, this is called successive hermaphroditism of the protogynous type. This fish protects its eggs from nearby predators.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Origin

Mediterranean Sea Black Sea Temperate Eastern Atlantic Ocean

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Temperature

12 - 18 °C
Depth

15 - 328 m

Biotope presentation

The picarel is most often found at a depth between 15m and 328m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

small european locust lobster Scyllaridae

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.