Goldsilk seabream
📖 Overview
Common in estuaries, relatively uncommon in freshwaters . It feeds on invertebrates, including worms, mollusks, crustaceans and echinoderms , and small fish . Breeds in winter at sea . Protandrous hermaphrodite . The flesh is excellent; sold fresh in markets. It is parasitised by the monogenean Anoplodiscus australis on the fins and body surface .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following characters: scale rows between fifth dorsal-fin spine base and lateral line 3.5; front edge of dorsal scaly area on head slightly convex, with small scales (fewer than 20) anteriorly; pored lateral-line scales 42-44; second anal-fin spine (2AS) longer than third anal-fin spine (3AS), 2AS/3AS ratio 1.23-1.50 (mean 1.36); strongly curved concavity on ventral edge of first two infraorbitals above rear end of maxilla, particularly obvious in specimens more than 13 cm standard length; scales on preopercle flange absent; anal-fin membrane dark; molariform teeth strongly developed along both jaws, teeth rows strongly curved laterally at rear of lower jaw .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Goldsilk seabream is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Goldsilk seabream is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Size at sex change = 19.1 TL; age at sex change = 1.95 years .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; oceanodromous ; depth range ? - 50 m . Tropical; 30°N - 35°S, 22°E - 103°E South Africa, Mozambique, the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, India, Phuket (Andaman Sea, specimen lost), and Malaysia (Penang Island and Langkawi Island, near Singapore).
🌿 Ecology
invertebrates, including worms, mollusks, crustaceans and echinoderms (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Goldsilk seabream is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 179 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Goldsilk seabream has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acanthopagrus bertha | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Acanthopagrus calamara | Valenciennes | 1830 | Synonym |
| Chrysophrys berda | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Chrysophrys berda calamara | Day | 1876 | Synonym |
| Chrysophrys calamara | Valenciennes | 1830 | Heterotypic |
| Chrysophrys madagascariensis | Valenciennes | 1830 | Synonym |
| Chrysophrys robinsoni | Gilchrist & Thompson | 1908 | Synonym |
| Mylio berda | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Pagrus berda | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Pagrus robinsoni | Gilchrist & Thompson | 1908 | Synonym |
| Sparus berda | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Sparus calamara | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Sparus hasta | Valenciennes | 1830 | Synonym |
| Sparus madagascariensis | Valenciennes | 1830 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 13 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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