Blacktail
Scientific Name: Diplodus sargus | Category: saltwater
The blacktail, Diplodus sargus, is a classic slab of Mediterranean silver with a distinctive nocturnal accent—a bold black saddle blotch just before the tail. Rounded and laterally compressed, sporting the sturdy, spiny-finned physique of a porgy or seabream, it’s a fish of clean lines and sharp contrasts. Juveniles often display dark vertical bars, while adults present in a more uniform armor of gunmetal grey, shifting to brilliant chrome on the flanks and belly. While average specimens fall in the 1-3 lb class, they are powerful for their size, and true trophy fish can push past 6 lbs, a substantial weight for the species that manifests as a deep-shouldered, formidable quarry. On the line, the key recognition feature is that unmistakable tail marking, a visual signature as clear as a calling card.
species.getBySlug
{
"id": "216d8013-03b7-4f64-81c9-c95fbb982762",
"commonName": "Blacktail",
"scientificName": "Diplodus sargus",
"slug": "blacktail",
"category": "saltwater",
"aliases": [
"Sargo",
"White Seabream",
"Sarago",
"Porgy (in regional contexts)",
"Black-banded Seabream",
"Sarago maggiore",
"Gilt-head (confusingly, in some areas, though distinct from true gilthead)"
],
"description": "The blacktail, Diplodus sargus, is a classic slab of Mediterranean silver with a distinctive nocturnal accent—a bold black saddle blotch just before the tail. Rounded and laterally compressed, sporting the sturdy, spiny-finned physique of a porgy or seabream, it’s a fish of clean lines and sharp contrasts. Juveniles often display dark vertical bars, while adults present in a more uniform armor of gunmetal grey, shifting to brilliant chrome on the flanks and belly. While average specimens fall in the 1-3 lb class, they are powerful for their size, and true trophy fish can push past 6 lbs, a substantial weight for the species that manifests as a deep-shouldered, formidable quarry. On the line, the key recognition feature is that unmistakable tail marking, a visual signature as clear as a calling card.",
"imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/blacktail/main.webp",
"hero": {
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"altText": "Blacktail (Diplodus sargus) watercolor",
"caption": "The blacktail, Diplodus sargus, is a classic slab of Mediterranean silver with a distinctive nocturnal accent—a bold black saddle blotch just before the tail.",
"width": 2400,
"height": 1340
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"phases": [
{
"id": "93c4f721-c029-4151-8df7-5d666e020876",
"name": "Juvenile",
"slug": "juvenile",
"description": "Young blacktails are schooling fish, often found in shallower, protected waters like harbors, estuaries, and seagrass beds. They are voracious feeders, constantly on the prowl for small crustaceans and worms, making them a frequent and lively catch for light-tackle anglers.",
"appearance": "A small, silvery fish, typically under 10 cm (4 inches). The body is marked by 5-8 prominent, dark vertical bars running from the dorsal area down the flanks, which are the most distinguishing feature of this stage. The fins are generally translucent. The iconic black tail blotch is present but may be less pronounced or more smudged than in adults.",
"triggers": null,
"habitat": "Shallow, sheltered coastal waters, including estuaries, lagoons, harbors, and over seagrass (Posidonia) beds.",
"anglersNote": "Often caught incidentally on small baits and lures; provides excellent sport on ultra-light gear but is usually below legal size.",
"displayOrder": 0,
"imageUrl": null,
"media": null
},
{
"id": "ea899f11-cf30-4180-8a05-6a61a0980312",
"name": "Adult",
"slug": "adult",
"description": "The adult blacktail is a powerful, solitary or small-group predator of rocky reefs and open coastal waters. It has graduated from the juvenile's weedy nurseries to become a master of ambush around structure, feeding aggressively on crabs, mussels, and small fish. This is the primary quarry for Mediterranean anglers.",
"appearance": "A deep-bodied, laterally compressed slab of silver with clean lines. The body is a uniform gunmetal grey on the back, shifting brilliantly to chrome-silver on the flanks and white on the belly. The single, most definitive feature is the bold, jet-black saddle blotch on the caudal peduncle, just before the tail fin. The tail fin itself is dark-edged. Average size is 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) and 0.5-1.5 kg (1-3 lbs), with trophy specimens developing a deeper, more formidable shoulder and exceeding 3 kg (6+ lbs). The vertical bars of the juvenile stage are completely absent.",
"triggers": "Maturation and movement from nursery habitats to adult offshore habitats, typically around 2-3 years of age.",
"habitat": "Rocky reefs, wrecks, offshore structures, and open coastal waters, typically from a few meters down to 50 meters depth.",
"anglersNote": "This is the prized phase for anglers—strong fighters for their size, excellent table fare, and the classic target for bottom fishing and light jigging.",
"displayOrder": 1,
"imageUrl": null,
"media": null
}
],
"contentUpdatedAt": "2026-05-09T22:33:39.043Z"
}species.getDestinations (0)
[]
faqs.getByEntity (0)
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seo.getBySlug
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"description": "Blacktail (Diplodus sargus), also known as Sargo or White Seabream, is a Mediterranean seabream recognized by its black tail band. A strong fighter for its size.",
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