Serranus tabacarius
Ecological Descriptors
|
Habitat |
Size (cm) |
Diet |
Behaviour |
Sex |
S, R, Co |
22 |
Cru, Pisc |
I, Sh |
SH |
Description:
Upper body has white/ yellow blothes, often with alternating dark patches. Side is shades of orange to brown, which may extend to belly, however latter may be white in some. Dark bar through eye across snout, between eyes and a double bar across nape. Broad Y bar under dorsal fin, a bar on upper tail base; upper and lower lobes of tail fin dark with white margins. Juveniles usually more strikingly marked.
Ecology
Found in sand and rubble near reefs and rocks at depths of 1-94m (3-300ft). Tend to hover just above the bottom, sometimes in groups in deeper water. Sometimes follows goatfishes (family Mullidae) as they probe the sand for invertebrates. Feeds on benthic crustaceans and small fish.
Life Cycle
Simultanious (synchronous) hermaphrodites. Has both female and male reproductive organs as in an ovary and testis, but doesn't self fertliise. Does not form pair bonds (i.e. "promiscuous").
Tobaccofish
607
(C) Ross Robertson
Tobaccofish