Head to head
Sargo vs Annular Seabream
Sargo
VS Annular Seabream
The sargo and the annular seabream are close relatives in the same genus, and both are silvery sea breams marked with black at the base of the tail.
| Sargo | Annular Seabream | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Diplodus sargus | Diplodus annularis |
| Relationship | A close relative of the annular seabream, in the same genus | A close relative of the sargo, in the same genus |
| Size | Usually about 20 to 40 cm long, and sometimes more | Usually 12 to 18 cm long, and occasionally larger |
| Pattern | A deep, oval, silvery-grey body with several dark vertical bars and a black saddle around the base of the tail | A silvery body with a yellowish sheen and a black ring, or annulus, around the base of the tail |
| Teeth and diet | Incisor-like front teeth that scrape and nip shellfish, sea urchins, worms, and algae from rocks | Small crustaceans, worms, molluscs, and algae found among seagrass and on sand |
| Habitat | Rocky coasts, reefs, and harbour walls, often in shoals in shallow water | Shoals over seagrass beds, sand, and rocky ground in shallow water |
| Human use | Caught by anglers and spearfishers and eaten in many countries | Caught in nets and on lines and often eaten fried as a small fish around the Mediterranean |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa and the Mediterranean | Least Concern, from the Bay of Biscay to West Africa and the Mediterranean |
Sargo vs Annular Seabream: common questions
How can you tell a sargo from an annular seabream?
The sargo is larger, with dark vertical bars and a black saddle at the tail base, while the annular seabream is smaller and has a black ring around the base of its tail.
Are they related?
Yes, they are close relatives in the same genus, Diplodus.
Which one lives over seagrass?
The annular seabream, which lives in shoals over seagrass beds, sand, and rocky ground, whereas the sargo prefers rocky coasts.