Common Seabream
The red porgy, known in Argentina as besugo, is a saltwater sparid found along the Atlantic coast of Buenos Aires province and beyond.
It feeds close to the bottom in relatively shallow coastal waters and draws attention from shore and boat anglers targeting the country's marine fishery — a different pursuit from Argentina's celebrated freshwater scene, but a genuine one.
Scientific Name: Pagrus pagrus
Also known as Besugo, red porgy
- Oblong, moderately deep body with a curved back, chunky snout, and a relatively wide mouth — unmistakably a bream shape.
- Back is reddish-pink fading to silver-white on the flanks; the color is the clearest field mark separating it from other coastal sparids.
- Typical fish run 30–40 cm; the species can reach 75 cm, though large specimens are increasingly uncommon in heavily fished areas.
- Dorsal fin carries 11–13 stiff spines — handle carefully when unhooking.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to both sides of the Atlantic; along South America it occurs on the Argentine Atlantic coast, including the province of Buenos Aires.
- Lives in relatively shallow coastal and nearshore waters, feeding on or near the seabed over rocky, sandy, or mixed bottom.
- Tolerates a range of bottom types but gravitates toward structure — reefs, rocky outcrops, and hard-bottom areas close to shore.
Key Locations
- Buenos Aires province Atlantic coast — the most accessible stretch of Argentine coastline where besugo are recorded and targeted by local anglers.
Specific Spots
- Rocky reef edges and hard-bottom patches hold fish year-round; the transition from sand to rock concentrates feeding activity.
- Deeper holes and drop-offs near shore give fish a thermal refuge and a place to intercept drifting prey — worth anchoring over rather than drifting past.
- Pier and jetty pilings along the Buenos Aires coast create structure that attracts both baitfish and besugo hunting below them.
Common Seabream FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Common Seabream?
Fresh or frozen squid is the go-to bait, cut into strips or fished whole on a bottom rig; it stays on the hook well and the scent carries in current. Fresh mussel, crab, and cut fish (sardine or mackerel) are effective alternatives and often easier to source locally along the Buenos Aires coast.
How do you catch Common Seabream?
Anglers in Argentina target besugo from boats anchored over rocky reef and hard-bottom areas, or from shore structures like piers and jetties along the Buenos Aires coast, using bottom rigs baited with squid or fresh shellfish.
What do Common Seabream eat?
Feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, crabs, shrimp, mollusks, and sea urchins, making natural baits like squid, crab, and cut fish the most reliable options for bottom rigs. Also takes small fish and worms; a simple paternoster rig baited with squid strip or fresh mussel covers most situations from shore or boat.
Where do Common Seabream live?
Native to both sides of the Atlantic; along South America it occurs on the Argentine Atlantic coast, including the province of Buenos Aires. Lives in relatively shallow coastal and nearshore waters, feeding on or near the seabed over rocky, sandy, or mixed bottom.
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