Mediterranean bream, rare southern visitor

Size
Length: 30–50 cm, Weight: 1–3 kg
Lifespan
10–15 years
Diet
Carnivorous – feeds on small crustaceans, worms and bivalves. Uses strong molar-like teeth to crush shells. Forages over sandy bottoms and seagrass beds. Feeds most actively during dawn and dusk.
Habitat
Sandy and rocky bottoms in shallow coastal waters, harbours and estuaries from 5 to 50 metres depth. Prefers areas with seagrass beds and rocky outcrops. Often found near wharves and rocky shorelines.
Range
Found in coastal waters of the North Island from Northland to Wellington. Most common in harbours, estuaries and rocky bays. Also found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean. Introduced to New Zealand waters.
Endemism
Introduced
Main Threats
Recreational overfishing is the primary threat. Also threatened by habitat loss from coastal development, water quality degradation in estuaries, and climate change affecting shallow nursery habitats. No significant commercial fishery in New Zealand.
Population
Populations are established in New Zealand waters following introduction. The species is a popular target for recreational fishers in northern harbours. Size and bag limits apply to manage recreational take. No formal stock assessment has been conducted for New Zealand populations.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Named for the distinctive gold bar between its eyes. It is a fish that wears a crown. The body is compressed and oval-shaped. It has a large head and a terminal mouth. The teeth are strong and molar-like. They are adapted for crushing shells. The colour is a silvery grey. A distinctive gold bar sits between the eyes. The fins are dusky. The scales are large and rough. It looks like it belongs in the Mediterranean. Its strong, molar-like teeth are adapted for crushing shellfish. In New Zealand it shares the Māori name Tamure with the native snapper. This reflects their similar appearance and habitat. It was introduced to New Zealand waters. It is now established in northern harbours. Its firm, white flesh is highly regarded by recreational fishers. A fish that came from somewhere else. It is a bottom-feeder. It forages over sandy bottoms and seagrass beds. It uses its strong teeth to crush shellfish. It swallows the crushed shells and all. It feeds most actively during dawn and dusk. A fish that crunches its food. It is a popular target for recreational fishers in northern harbours. It is caught on baited hooks. Often this happens from wharves and rocky shorelines. Size and bag limits apply to manage recreational take. It was introduced to New Zealand waters. This probably happened from aquaculture escapes. It is now established in northern harbours. This extends from Northland to Wellington. It is a new addition to the New Zealand fish fauna. To see one is to see a fish that does not belong. It is a Mediterranean fish living in New Zealand waters. The harbour is warm. The bream swims, gold bar flashing. It crushes shells that did not evolve with it. It does not know it is an immigrant. It does not know it does not belong. It just eats. That is what fish do.