Symphodus rostratus
שִׂפְתּוֹן חָטְמָנִי
© S. Chaikin
Size range: Max. 14.3 cm (Fishbase)
Common size: 8-10 cm (Fishes of Europe and the Mediterranean)
Depth: 0-50 m (Fishbase) | 3-20 m (1-50m) (Fishes of Europe and the Mediterranean)
Habitat:
- Hard - rocky. Adults are found near rocks, mainly in eel-grass beds (Fishbase)
- Soft - Posidonia sea-grass beds and adacent rocy areas (Fishes of Europe and the Mediterranean)
Water column position: (TBC)
Colors & patterns: Focus on unique characteristics which distinguish the species from others, specify differences between:
- Snout pointed and obviously concave
- Overall Beige-grey to greenish brown
- often bright-green in seagrass beds
- Females from March to June: often show a large and obvious blue to black conical urogenital papilla
- Uniform vs. Dark patterns : Uniform is common among young and green individuals found in seagrass beds. Dark - White line from snout to dorsal fin + 2 dark longitudinal lines on flank
Behavior:
- Reef-associated - related to sites it inhabits
2. Activity: (TBC)
3. Approach:
- Shy
- Easily approached ("Often allows you to get close, but soon disappears amongst the seagrass" - Fishes of Europe and the Mediterranean)
4. Adhesive eggs are laid by one or several females on a nest of algae built by a male.
Schooling characteristics (TBC)
Native/Exotic: (TBC)
EM notes:
© S. Chaikin
© S. Salingre