Acanthopagrus berda, commonly known as the goldsilk seabream, picnic seabream, sly bream, black sea bream, black porgy, picky bream, silver bream, or river bream, is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae (sea breams and porgies). It is found in the Indian Ocean.
Taxonomy
The species was first formally described as Sparus berda in 1775 by the Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius, based on the notes of the Swedish explorer and naturalist Peter Forsskål, who had died during an expedition to Arabia. The description was published posthumously in Descriptiones animalium, edited by Carsten Niebuhr. The type locality is Al Luhayyah in Yemen. The species is currently placed in the genus Acanthopagrus.
Etymology
The specific name berda is derived from the local vernacular name used for this species along the Red Sea coast of Yemen.
Description
Acanthopagrus berda has a relatively deep and compressed body, with the body depth fitting into standard length between 2.4 and 2.6 times. The dorsal fin is supported by 11 or 12 spines, while the anal fin has 3 spines (the second being longer than the third) and 8 or 9 soft rays. The jaws bear robust, molar-like teeth arranged in rows that curve laterally at the back of the lower jaw. The body is dark olive brown on the upper side, becoming very black when the fish is stressed or excited, and much paler on the lower side with metallic tints. The maximum recorded total length is 90 cm (35 in), though 35 cm (14 in) is more typical.
Distribution and Habitat
The goldsilk seabream is distributed across the Indian Ocean. Its range extends along the eastern coast of Africa from Egypt, Israel, and Jordan south to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, including Madagascar, and eastward along the Asian coast to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra. Records from the Persian Gulf are thought to be misidentifications of Acanthopagrus randalli. This species is dependent on estuarine environments and is found over sand and mud substrates at depths of up to 50 m (160 ft). Juveniles and subadults inhabit sheltered bays and estuaries.
Biology
Acanthopagrus berda is a predatory species. Just over half of its prey consists of crustaceans (mainly crabs and barnacles) and bivalves (mussels of the genus Modiolus and oysters). Fish, squid, and vegetable matter are also consumed. The species is a protandrous hermaphrodite — functional males are most numerous in smaller size classes. Adults possess ovotestes but may function as either male or female during spawning. Off the coast of Kerala, India, the spawning season extends from August to December.
Fisheries and Aquaculture
The species is popular among recreational anglers and does not appear to be subjected to heavy fishing pressure. It is also targeted by artisanal fisheries in India. Research is underway to evaluate its potential for aquaculture in India, and hatchery technology has been developed for the species.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists Acanthopagrus berda as Least Concern (assessed in 2017).
