The Goldlined Seabream, Silver Bream , Tarwhine, scientifically known as Rhabdosargus sarba, is a marine fish species found in the coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This species is known for its distinctive gold stripes running along its body, hence its common name.
Description & Characteristics
The Goldlined Seabream, Silver Bream , Tarwhine (Rhabdosargus sarba) is a robust fish with a deep, compressed body. It can reach a maximum size of 80.0 cm in length. Its body is typically silver-grey, with golden stripes running along its flanks. The stripes are more prominent in younger individuals and tend to fade as the fish matures. Its fins are pale yellowish-grey, with the dorsal fin having a distinctive black spot near the tip.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Goldlined Seabream, Silver Bream , Tarwhine (Rhabdosargus sarba) is a benthic species, meaning it lives on the seabed. It is typically found in shallow coastal waters, including estuaries, rocky reefs, and sandy bottoms. It prefers habitats with moderate water currents and a good supply of food. The depth range of this species extends from the intertidal zone to depths of up to 60.0 meters. This wide depth range allows it to thrive in different marine zones, including the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and neritic zones of the oceans.
Taxonomy
The Goldlined Seabream, Silver Bream , Tarwhine (Rhabdosargus sarba) belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis, and Family: Sparidae. The Sparidae family, also known as the sea bream family, is a diverse group of fish that includes many commercially important species.
Feeding
The Goldlined Seabream, Silver Bream , Tarwhine (Rhabdosargus sarba) is an omnivore, meaning it feeds on a variety of food sources. Its diet consists primarily of clams, crabs, and decapods, including edible crabs. This species is also known to scavenge on frozen food and zoobenthos. Its feeding habits make it a valuable part of the marine ecosystem, contributing to the balance of the food web.
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