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Comber

Distribution : Mediterranean · Atlantic Ocean · Black Sea

At night, the comber’s bars fade and irregular blotches appear. A sleeping fish wears a different colour pattern from the one seen during the day.

Habitat of Comber Habitat
Rocky habitat, Coralligenous habitat
Depth range of Comber Depth
1-500 m
Biological group of Comber Group
Ecological role of Comber Role
Predator

Average size

25 cm

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Orange to reddish head lines add detail to the comber (Serranus cabrilla). Their slanting pattern accompanies a large, thick-lipped mouth.

The body remains elongated and slightly flattened from side to side. Darker brown bars cross its colouring, while a pale line may cut through them lengthways along the flank.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It lives on rocky seabeds, in coralligenous areas and sometimes on mixed substrates. It occurs from shallow water down to several tens of metres. It often stays near shelter such as a crack or cavity.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

The comber feeds on small fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and polychaete worms. These include swimming animals and seabed-associated prey. Comparative studies with the brown comber show that the two do not choose exactly the same foods even in nearby areas. Its menu retains several animal components.

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Comber

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