The Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) is a marine (saltwater) fish in the Serranidae family of sea bass, groupers, and anthias.
The Painted Comber has a laterally compressed, elongated body with a pointed snout (nose). It is grey, purplish, or reddish with 5-7 dark-brown bars on its sides. Its head has narrow blue lines and red blotches. Its fins have red dots, and its pectoral fins are pale-yellow. It has a large mouth with sharp teeth.
It grows to about 36 centimetres (14 inches) long.
It is found in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. It prefers shallow ocean waters with caves and a rocky sea floor.
It is nocturnal, active at night. It forages for food at night. It is carnivorous, feeding on snails, crabs, fish, and worms. During the day, it shelters in caves.
The Painted Comber is mainly solitary or found in small groups.
It is a synchronous hermaphrodite with each individual having both male and female reproductive organs, and may be capable of self-fertilization. The female lays eggs under stones near the shore.
It has an average life expectancy of 16 years.
Location of photographs: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM