The Common Pandora is a classic and commercially significant fish species of the Mediterranean. It belongs to the family Sparidae and is famous for its beautiful pink-red colour and tender meat. The body is oval and compressed laterally, with a characteristic conical snout. The most important feature for identification is a bold iridescent blue spot on the upper part of the gill cover. It also frequently possesses small blue spots on its back. These characteristics distinguish it from related species like the Blackspot Seabream, which has disproportionately large eyes and a black spot behind the head. It also differs from the Axillary Seabream, which has a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin and a duller colour.

This is a benthopelagic species that lives near the seabed. It prefers sandy, muddy, or mixed bottoms, as well as gravel areas. The depth at which it is found varies with age. Young individuals form schools in shallow coastal waters, from 10 to 50 metres deep, and often remain near Posidonia seagrass meadows. Adult fish become more solitary and migrate to deeper waters, reaching depths of up to 200 or 300 metres.