Salema

Sarpa salpa · Sparidae

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Salema
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Best months

January–December

Where

  • Rocks
  • Seagrass
  • Harbours & piers

Best time

  • Daytime

Conditions

  • Calm sea

Usual size

20–35 cm

General guidance for the Mediterranean and the nearby Atlantic; local seasons can differ.

How to catch it

Methods

  • Float

Baits

  • Green weed
  • Bread / paste

The angler's tip

A grazer: green weed or bread paste on a small hook under a float, near rocks and seagrass where the shoal feeds.

Legal minimum size

CountryMinimum sizeSource
Portugal≥ 18 cmSource
Checked 2026-10-23

Rules change. Check the official source before you keep a fish; this table is not legal advice.

About this fish

The salema porgy, also known as the dreamfish, salema, cow bream, karanteen, salpa, saupe, strepie or goldline, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Sarpa. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and southwestern Indian Ocean.

From Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to catch Salema?

The best months are January–December. Best time of the day: Daytime.

What bait or lure works for Salema?

Green weed, Bread / paste · Float.

What is the legal minimum size of Salema?

Portugal: 18 cm.

Related species

These are estimates, not guarantees. Always look at the sea yourself before going out, do not go alone and wear a life jacket.