Sea bass

Everything you always wanted to know about sea bass

Sea bass

Everything you always wanted to know about sea bass

TYPE: Dicentrarchus labrax

BEST CATCH: usually june to september - available frozen all year around

RELATED SPECIES: Family of the Moronidae (Spotted sea bass, Striped bass, White bass)

PREPERATION: fried, grilled or cooked

RECIPE IDEA: Lime risotto with sea bass or crispy sea bass fillets on mediterranean vegetables

TASTE:

Sea bass, also known as "Loup de Mer" or "Branzino," is one of Europe's finest fish. Its firm, white flesh, delicate flavor, and culinary versatility make it a favorite among gourmets, making it ideal for grilling, roasting, or oven-baking. Sea bass is not only a delicious dish, but also nutritionally valuable. It contains high-quality, easily digestible protein and is low in fat, yet still provides valuable omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the heart, circulation, and brain.

The sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) has an elongated, slightly laterally flattened body with a strikingly elegant silhouette. Its skin is smooth, silvery, and covered with very small, tightly fitting scales. The back usually shimmers a bluish gray to green, while the flanks are silvery, and the belly appears almost white. It typically has two distinct dorsal fins—the front with rigid spines, the rear soft and flexible. A dark spot is visible on the gill cover, especially in juveniles.

The European sea bass is native to the coastal waters of the Northeast Atlantic, from Norway to Morocco, as well as the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It prefers temperate, coastal zones and is often found in brackish water regions such as estuaries or lagoons. There, it is a skilled hunter and feeds primarily on small fish, crustaceans, and squid. In the wild, it is considered an intelligent and cautious solitary animal or lives in small groups.

Sea bass is available both wild-caught and responsibly farmed. Wild-caught sea bass is very limited in Europe due to its strict fishing regulations - and rightly so, as in some regions its stocks are considered overfished or endangered. This makes it all the more important to ensure completely transparent origins and sustainable fishing methods when sourcing wild-caught sea bass. Our sea bass comes from carefully controlled farms that prioritize animal welfare, water quality, and environmental sustainability. This sustainable aquaculture ensures consistently high quality.

From an ecological point of view, the sea bass is a valuable indicator fish – its populations are sensitive to pollution and climate change, making it an important bioindicator for healthy marine coasts.

Sea bass in detail

Sea bass

European sea bass typically reach 40–70 cm in length, but under optimal conditions, they can grow over a meter long and weigh up to 12 kg – a true highlight for connoisseurs and professional chefs.

Sea bass

European sea bass typically reach 40–70 cm in length, but under optimal conditions, they can grow over a meter long and weigh up to 12 kg – a true highlight for connoisseurs and professional chefs.

Fun fact:

GIF mit einer weißen Fischgrafik auf blauem Hintergrund, die mehrere rote Luftblasen ausstößt

The name sea bass derives from its predatory hunting behavior. With sharp eyesight and lightning-fast movements, it hunts smaller fish – much like a "sea wolf." It doesn't bite indiscriminately, but hunts tactically.