Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) [N]—European seabass; Brak/Ghenbar

Taxonomy. Original description: Perca labrax Linnaeus, 1758: 290 [Southern Europe, Mediterranean Sea; syntypes: BMNH 1853.11.12.1 (1, skin)].—Syrian synonyms: Morone labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) .—Revisions: None.— Illustration: Tortonese in Whitehead et al. (1986: 794, fig.).

Status in Syria. First record from Syria by Saad (2005).—Syrian material: MSL.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Syria: Mediterranean watersheds.—Distribution in River Basin: 6- Coastal.—General distribution: Western Baltic Sea; North Sea; Mediterranean Sea; Sea of Marmara; Black Sea; eastern Atlantic: Norway and Iceland south to Senegal, including Madeira; Red Sea: Gulf of Suez (Mediterranean Sea immigrant).—Distribution in Ecoregion: 436-Coastal Levant.—Habitat: This species is pelagic, near shore, and sometimes in lagoons and estuaries. It spawns at sea. Freshwater, brackish, marine.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Conservation. Conservation status in Syria: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (IUCN 2023).—Threats: No major threats known.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Low priority for conservation action.