Habitat 
Depth 
Group 
Role 
Average sizeWHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
A black back-fin spot accompanies the compact outline of the brown comber (Serranus hepatus). It sits at the beginning of the soft fin section above the body’s dark bars.
Three to five bars cross beige to brown colouring. The small lower fins at the front, the pelvic fins, remain dark; together these features distinguish this stockier comber from its more slender relatives.
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
This species lives near the bottom in varied areas: rocky seabeds, sandy substrates or areas mixing sand and debris. It is mainly found from about twenty metres deep, often inconspicuous and resting near the substrate.
WHAT DOES IT EAT?
Brown comber food is often dominated by small crustaceans. Shrimps, crabs, mysids and amphipods contribute differently among studies. Mysids are particularly important in the Gulf of Cádiz, while other populations take more decapods. Small fish and polychaete worms supplement the catches. Size and depth account for some observed differences.
GO FURTHER WITH AMIGANSEAU
Unlock the full profile
Deepen your knowledge with the exclusive chapters and interactive resources included in an AMIGANSEAU licence.
- HOW DOES IT REPRODUCE?
- OUR OBSERVATIONS
- ARTICLE
Also included in the full profile
- Advanced navigation between description, ecological context, observations and behaviour
- Interactive food chain to explore the species’ feeding relationships
- Infographic and illustrated summary profile
Understand the species