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.