Depth
Sciaena · Bony Fish

Brown Meagre

Sciaena umbra

0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Reef & Open
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Sciaena
Species umbra

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationLarge, deep-bodied fish with a sloping forehead. Dark bronze-brown to grey body with a coppery or golden sheen. Large scales. The lateral line is clearly visible and continues onto the tail.
  • SizeUp to 70 cm total length and 5 kg, commonly 30 to 50 cm.
  • Social HabitFound in small groups sheltering in caves and under overhangs during the day. May aggregate at night for feeding.
  • HabitatRocky reefs, caves, wrecks, and boulders. Strongly associated with cover and dim habitats during daylight.
  • Depth5 to 200 m, most common between 10 and 60 m.
  • Feeds OnCrustaceans, small fish, and worms, primarily hunted at night.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from the English Channel to Senegal, including the entire Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionA large, handsome fish often found resting in groups inside caves and wrecks during the day. The brown meagre produces distinctive drumming sounds using muscles attached to its swim bladder, which can sometimes be heard by divers. Heavily overfished in many areas, it is now protected in parts of the Mediterranean.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean, inhabiting reef & open environments. Active from the surface down to 40m depth.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Reef & Open habitats, typically at depths of 0-40m. Most commonly encountered by divers at the shallower end of its range.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Brown Meagre species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Hunts fish, crabs and cephalopods using its acute hearing to detect prey in low-light conditions. Most active at dusk and dawn when it emerges from shelter to feed.

Crepuscular hunter

Reproduction

Spawns during summer, producing distinctive drumming sounds using its swim bladder to attract mates. Eggs are pelagic and larvae develop in open water.

Sound spawner

Behaviour & Defence

Retreats deep into caves and overhangs when threatened, relying on darkness for protection. Its dark colouration provides effective camouflage in dim environments.

Cave dweller

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

The following dive sites offer strong habitat match for Sciaena umbra. All are accessible on a guided dive with diveshack.

5-30m
North Malta

Cirkewwa

Rocky reef with caves, arches and ledges hosting a rich diversity of reef species.

View dive site ›
5-50m
Gozo

Blue Hole

One of the Med's most famous reef dive sites. Rocky walls and archways covered in life.

View dive site ›
18-36m
South Malta

Um El Faroud

The wreck lies on a sandy bottom surrounded by rocky reef -- a diverse habitat attracting reef species.

View dive site ›
IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes to prey availability.

Source: iNaturalist Guide #888
by Lesley Clements (CC BY-SA)
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide