[3] D. vulgaris is closely related to D. sargus and these two taxa form a clade within the genus Diplodus.

These populations have now been recognised as separate species, D. noct in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean D. kotschyi the eastern Mediterranean D. levantinus and the eastern Atlantic D. ascensionis, the Moroccan seabream D. cadenati, the Cape white seabream D. capensis, the St. Helena white seabream D. helenae and the Cape Verde endemic D. lineatus.

Along with D. argenteus, D. bermudensis D. caudimacula and D. holbrooki of the western Atlantic these taxa form the D. sargus species complex with the genus Diplodus.

It is thought that the D. sargus species complex originated in the Cape Verde area and radiated and speciated from there.

[4] The genus Diplodus is placed in the family Sparidae within the order Spariformes by the 5th edition of Fishes of the World.

There is a dark saddle-like blotch on the caudal peduncle, immediately to the rear of the last soft rays of the dorsal fin.

[10] The white sea bream is a benthopelagic, schooling species inhabiting coastal areas with rocky bottoms interspersed with sand from 0 to 150 m (0 to 492 ft), being most numerous in the surf zone.

[8] Diplodus sargus is a daytime active, omnivorous fish which feeds on algae, sea-urchins, worms, gastropods and amphipods.

[14] The white seabream is mostly landed by artisanal fishers and is caught using fish traps, gill nets and handlines.