Axillary Seabream
The axillary seabream is a southern species at the very edge of its range in Irish waters — recorded occasionally but not a regular target. It belongs to the same family as red and black seabream, and any encounter here is a genuine rarity worth documenting.
Anglers fishing deeper offshore marks along the south and west coasts are the most likely to stumble across one.
Scientific Name: Pagellus acarne
Also known as Spanish seabream
- Silver-pink body, deeper than it is wide, with a distinctive black spot at the base of the pectoral fin — the 'axillary' mark that gives the species its name.
- Concave forehead profile above the eyes, conical snout, and horizontal mouth with small teeth; easily confused with red seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) without careful examination of all features.
- Common size around 25 cm; maximum recorded around 36 cm. A fish over 30 cm would be a notable catch anywhere in its range.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- A warm-water eastern Atlantic species whose core range runs from the Bay of Biscay south to Senegal; Ireland sits at the northern fringe, where records are rare and scattered.
- Biodiversity Ireland records confirm occasional occurrences in Irish marine waters, most plausibly along the south and west coasts where Atlantic influence is strongest.
- Naturally a bottom-oriented fish, typically found over mixed ground at 40–100 m, though it can range from very shallow water down to 500 m.
Key Locations
- South and west Irish coasts — the areas most exposed to warmer Atlantic water — represent the most plausible grounds for an encounter.
Specific Spots
- Deeper offshore reefs and mixed rough ground at 40–100 m are the most likely holding areas — the same structure that attracts red seabream and bream species generally.
- Rocky drop-offs and broken seabed where invertebrate prey concentrates; this species hugs the bottom rather than roaming open water.
Axillary Seabream FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Axillary Seabream?
Natural baits, squid strip, prawn, and sandeel, are the most reliable choice, matching the invertebrate-heavy diet of this bottom feeder. Small metal jigs worked close to the seabed have taken axillary seabream in UK and Atlantic waters, so they're worth trying when drifting over rough ground.
When is the best time to fish for Axillary Seabream?
Autumn is the period when this species moves into shallower water across its range, making accidental encounters slightly more likely for inshore boat anglers. Deeper offshore marks may hold fish year-round, but the species is too rare in Irish waters to define a reliable season.
How do you catch Axillary Seabream?
No directed fishery for axillary seabream exists in Ireland. Catches here are incidental, typically taken by boat anglers fishing deep offshore marks for red seabream or other bottom species along the south and west coasts.
What do Axillary Seabream eat?
Carnivorous, feeding on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, worms, small crustaceans, and molluscs. Squid strip, prawn, and sandeel are the natural bait choices that match this diet.
Where do Axillary Seabream live?
A warm-water eastern Atlantic species whose core range runs from the Bay of Biscay south to Senegal; Ireland sits at the northern fringe, where records are rare and scattered.
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