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No. 17. SEA BREAM. 



Pagcllns centrodontus, Delaroche (sec figure). 

 Cantharus lineatus, Montagu. 

 And certain other species. 

 Usual extreme length : About 16 inches for both species. 



Description: The term " Sea Bream " is used in the market to 

 describe a number of various fishes belonging to the genera 

 Pagellus, Cantharus, Pagrus, Sebastes, etc., but the species 

 mentioned above are those chiefly to be met with in the stock 

 of the ordinary fishmonger. 



Both agree in the following characteristics : Body deep and 

 plump, covered with large scales ; head and eye of large size ; 

 well developed dorsal and anal fins, the fore part of each 

 supported on powerful spines ; canine teeth present in the jaws 

 of Cantharus, absent in Pagellus. 



The Common Sea Bream (Pagellus centrodontus) is of an 

 orange scarlet above, more or less silvery on the flanks and 

 belly, and has a large black spot on the shoulder. The reddish 

 tone is not developed until the fish approaches maturity. On 

 the South Coast the young are known as " Chad." 



The food consists of various marine animals, and seaweed. 



The Black Sea Bream (Cantharus lineatus) exhibits a charming 

 livery of " argent and sable," with yellowish reflections. 



Range: The Common Sea Bream occurs from Norway to the 

 Mediterranean, and is very abundant in the English Channel. 

 The distribution of the second species is similar, but in British 

 v/aters it is nowhere so common. Bream approach the coastal 

 waters only during the summer, retiring to greater depths on 

 the approach of winter. 



Remarks: Although exhibiting certain characteristics which would 

 appear to mark them as being food-fishes of high edible quality, e.g., 

 firmness of flesh and excellent flavour, Sea Bream are held in but little 

 esteem, and in the market their value ranges extremely low. This fact 

 is somewhat difficult to account for, but it may be stated that many people 

 consider these fish to be unwholesome. It is known that their food some- 

 times consists very largely of sea-weeds, but in the absence of any scientific 

 investigation on the matter it is impossible to say whether, as in the 

 case of certain tropical fishes, their flesh acquires at times a slightly 

 poisonous character from the nature of the food. 



