Serranus cabrilla, known as the Comber, thrives in the rocky and sandy depths of the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic. Discover its unique features and behaviors that make it a fascinating marine species.
Identifying a Comber is characterized by its slender body, typically measuring between 5 to 25 centimeters. It features 7 to 9 dark transversal bands, interrupted by a longitudinal white to yellowish stripe running from head to tail.
The Comber belongs to the family Serranidae, distinguished by its 10 dorsal spines, 13 to 15 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 7 to 8 anal soft rays. Its coloration varies from light brown to intense reddish-brown, blending well with its rocky or sandy habitats.
Found at depths ranging from shallow waters to 200 meters, the Comber prefers rocky or sandy seabeds. It is often solitary or in small groups, emerging at dusk to feed on crustaceans, cephalopods, fish, and worms. It also scavenges near octopus nests for leftover shellfish.
Comber fish are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. During spawning season, they exhibit unique mating behavior where one fish acts as a male and the other as a female, synchronized with lunar phases from February to July.
Encounter the Comber fish while diving off Malta’s coast, particularly around rocky formations and depths up to 200 meters. Witness their behavior firsthand and appreciate their role in the Mediterranean’s marine ecosystem.
This Comber photo captures its beauty at 35 meters near the Blue Hole, a natural wonder at Dwejra on Gozo’s west coast.
