The Salema Porgy (Sarpa salpa), also known as the Dreamfish, Salema, Cow Bream, or Goldline, is a fascinating species of sea bream. Belonging to the family Sparidae, this bony fish inhabits temperate and tropical waters of the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, as well as seen here of course, diving in the Mediterranean Sea, including the waters around the Maltese Islands. Occasionally, it has even been found as far north as Great Britain.
While the Salema Porgy might seem like a typical fish, it has a peculiar property that sets it apart: when ingested, it can cause hallucinogenic effects known as ichthyoallyeinotoxism. This type of food poisoning can lead to vivid auditory and visual hallucinations, delirium, disturbances in motor coordination, nausea, nightmares, vertigo, and other central nervous system disturbances. These LSD-like hallucinations were known to the Ancient Romans, who consumed the fish as a recreational drug, and it was also used ceremoniously among Polynesians. In Arabic, the Salema Porgy is called “the fish that makes dreams.”
The Salema Porgy is a strictly littoral species, found from the surface to depths of up to 70 meters, although it usually does not exceed depths of 20 meters. It thrives in shallow waters, populating rocky bottoms with aquatic plant growth and meadows of Posidonia oceanica. This environment provides both shelter and abundant food sources, making it an ideal habitat for this species.
The Salema Porgy has a typical porgy shape, flattened at the sides with a convex back and belly. It has a thin caudal peduncle and a forked caudal fin with pointed lobes. The eyes are small, and the mouth is tiny, located at the apex of the snout and slightly curved downwards. Equipped with pointed teeth, it scrapes algae from rocks. The front dorsal fin is low, and its spiny rays are not very strong. The anal fin is also low with three spiny rays. The Salema Porgy can reach a maximum length of 50 cm and a weight of 3 kg, but it usually does not exceed 30 cm in length and 1 kg in weight.
The Salema Porgy is silver with a grey-blue back, and its sides are crossed horizontally by 10 to 12 thin golden stripes. A dark speck is present at the junction of the pectoral fins, and the eyes are golden. The tail and fins are greenish-blue except for the ventral fins, which are transparent. This species is gregarious, forming dense, numerous, and well-disciplined schools that move quickly among the rocks. Their powerful swim produces a vibration that can sometimes be felt by divers.
Malta’s waters offer excellent opportunities to observe the Salema Porgy in its natural habitat. A notable dive site is at Dwejra, on the shallow reef between the Blue Hole and Coral Cave on Gozo’s west coast, where these fish can be seen at a depth of around 8 meters. The sight of these golden-striped fish swimming in schools is a mesmerizing experience for divers.
In conclusion, the Salema Porgy is a remarkable fish, not just for its hallucinogenic properties but also for its distinctive physical characteristics and behavior. Exploring its habitat in the waters around Malta provides a unique glimpse into the fascinating underwater world of the Mediterranean.
