Symphodus roissali

Size range: 12-15 cm (max: 19 cm)

Common size: 12 cm

Depth range: 1-10 m (max: 30 m)

Habitat:

• Hard - rocky habitats covered with algae

• Vegetation - sea grass

Water column position:

• Benthic

Schooling characteristics:

• Solitary

• Small groups

Colors & patterns:

A dark, rather straight mark from the eye to the snout.

At least one oblique, dark marks on cheeks, mostly several marks (this is a possible sign to distinguish it from Symphodus tinca, which has no marks on the cheeks).

Black blotch on the middle of caudal peduncle.

In rocky habitats - background color beige to light brown

In sea grass beds - often bright green

• Females

• Males - terminal phase characterized by: (1) eye encircled with a bright-red ring (2) Two well defined dark blotches on the rear of dorsal fin ( smaller, less prominent dark blotches are in the front of the dorsal fin). Color is mainly green and redish-brown.

• Special patterns (for example, a breeding pattern):

Dark-banded color pattern - 3 longitudinal bands, the upper one along back. This pattern is very similar to a common pattern of Symphodus tinca.

Nesting males - often mottled pattern.

Female in or towards breeding (nuptial pattern) - scattered black blotches, more numerous on belly. Background color beige to green.

Behavior:

• Reef-associated

2. Activity:?

• Diurnal

• Nocturnal

• Both

• Crepuscular

3. Approach: Indifferent

4. Unique behavior: Males build nests from seaweed (a behavior many Symphodus species share). Distinct pairing during breeding

5. Feeding characteristic - Invertebrates: mollusks, bivalves, gastropods, shrimps, sea-urchins and hydroids

Native/Exotic: Native