Diplodus cervinus cervinus (Zebra bream)
Diplodus cervinus cervinus has a compressed body with a high back and an extruding mouth with thick lips. The body has a silver color with 5 wide, bronze-colored, vertical bands across it. There is also a bronze colored, vertical band through the eye. They usually swim in groups of several individuals, in different sizes. Sometimes solitary.
Unassessed by the IUCN Red list, but considered a widespread species in most parts of the Mediterranean and Atlantic.
From the Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean to the Strait of Gibraltar (absent in the Adriatic Sea) and South Africa including Madeira and the Canary islands (absent from Cape Verde), off Senegal and the Gulf of Guinea. Benthopelagic on the shelf, on rocky bottoms from 30 to 80 meters depth, but may also occur down to 300 meters on sandy and muddy bottoms.
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Up to 55 cm., but usually smaller, around 35 cm.
Diplodus cervinus cervinus feeds on small invertebrates and algae.
This species looks very similar to D. cervinus omanensis, but they have separate habitats.
