Serranus scriba

Size range: 25 - 30 cm

Common size: 25 cm

Habitat:

• Hard - rocky
• Vegetation - Posidonia seagrass and transition areas between rock and seagrass

Depth:

• 5-30 m

Water column position:

• Supra-benthic

Colors & patterns:

• white/orangeish/redish in color with bluish to dark brown vertical stripes that are wider and darker towards the tail. The caudal fin is dark yellow to orange, the dorsal fins are yellow with orange dots and lines. The pelvic fins and pectoral fins are usually monochromatic light yellow. The head shows many reddish-brown lines that resemble Arabic writing (hence the Latin name of the species). On both sides of the abdomen there is a large, bright blue area.

Behavior:

1. Whether the species is:

• Reef-associated - related to sites it inhabits

2. Activity:

• Diurnal (personal exp.)

3. Approach:

• Easily approached
• Bold

Schooling characteristics:

• Solitary

Native/Exotic: Native

EM notes: description of special east Mediterranean characteristics.