The European bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, a sea bass, is also know as Loup de Mer (French) or Bronzino (Italian). Other names include: bar commun, lavraki, and robalo.
Identifying Characteristics and Biology
- The European sea bass is silver gray all over with a darker back.
- It has a dark lateral line running its length. While it looks similar to the striped bass, this fish has a blue-grey back and doesn’t have the many stripes.
- They are a slow growing fish, and spawn from March to June.
Range and Habitat
- This fish is found around the Eastern Atlantic ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea.
- They can be found in coastal areas like lagoons and estuaries where rivers meet the sea, and are seasonally migratory.
- The juveniles are able to adapt to different water temperature and salinity ranges.
Market Forms
- The Loup de Mer or Branzino you find is farmed in open ocean pens. The main exporter of the European sea bass is Greece.
- The flesh is cooks up firm and white, and the meat is sweet.
Image of Dicentrarchus labrax courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
