Descent to the deep sea

It is found between 30 and 200 meters deep. It lives near cavities where it takes refuge in case of danger. The male has large pectoral fins and is surrounded by a harem of a dozen females. If it dies, the dominant female becomes a male (protogynous hermaphroditism).

It often looks for food at the bottom. At nightfall, it rises to the surface to eat zooplankton. It sometimes is subject to overfishing in the Mediterranean. It is also used as a bait to catch tuna.

Large males can be recognized by their green backs, their white bellies and their broad orange line on the flanks. The coloration, associated with a characteristic swimming, is used to impress other males and attract the attention of females, but also predators.

Unlike other bream species living in the Mediterranean, it has elongated jaws. It is often found in groups formed by other species of fish (bream, salemas). It is highly sought after by fishermen because its flesh has a very fine taste.

They often live in small groups. It teeth allows it to crush the shells and shells of its prey (sea urchins, crustaceans, bivalves ...). It is prized for its meat, with a very fine taste.

It is sometimes called the "Saint Anthony" because of the black strip on the back of it head that resembles the hood of a monk. It is often found in groups with other species of bream. It is highly sought after by fishermen.

The dusky grouper is a major predator of shallow rocky areas, hunting stealthily for octopuses, invertebrates, and fish. Despite its global distribution, it is threatened by overfishing. This species has been protected on the French Mediterranean coast since 1993. The combined effects of regulations, climate change, and marine protected areas contribute to the successful restoration of grouper populations, which are increasing once again.

It differs from the green wrasse (Labrus viridis) with a blue border on the fins. During breeding, the females visit male territories and mate with the most attractive. Around the age of 4 years, they change sex (protogynous hermaphroditism), but not color.

The nocturnal animal also feeds on dead animals. Its bite is not venomous, but very painful. It body, completely smooth (scales, flippers ...) allows it to slide easily backwards into a hole. It is one of the ingredients of the "bouillabaisse".

Unlike many other sea Sparidae (sea bream, bream ...), it lives near the surface. It is sometimes found in ports where it feeds on waste. In some countries, it is highly prized by fishermen although its flesh is rather soft.

It is particularly smart. In case of danger, it can cover up or release a "cloud" of ink. In general, the male dies shortly after mating. The female protects the eggs until they hatch and then it dies. Its flesh is highly appreciated.

Like all crustaceans, it is forced to mutate to grow. Unlike lobster, it has no large claws, but its shell is covered with thorns. It uses its long antennae as "whips" to protect themselves from predators. Those are captured using traps or nets.

During the day, it lives in schools and often "grazes" Posidonia leaves (underwater flowering plant). It also eats small animals that live hanging on the leaves. Juveniles live in very shallow waters. It flesh, soft and bland, is not appreciated.

It swims very badly and lives on the bottom where it is camouflaged among underwater vegetation. It is hunting from a hide and, like all the scorpion fishes, it is venomous. Very sought after for its flesh, it is easily captured with a harpoon or a net.

It often lives below 30 meters depth. In the spring, it goes close to the surface to spawn in the sea grass. Its spines are venomous. The sting is very painful, but rarely fatal. It is one of the essential ingredients of bouillabaisse.

It breeds easily in captivity. During mating, which can last between 30 and 45 minutes, the male forms a loop around the body of the female. Its flesh is edible, but it liver is toxic. Its reproductive behavior has been studied at the University of Liège.

It is especially active at dusk. During the day, it stays on the bottom. It can close it eyes with a sort of eyelids. Its flesh is edible, but it liver is toxic! Its eggs can be incubated and hatched in an aquarium.

It is very aggressive towards fishes from its species, except during the breeding season: In the spring, at nightfall, a pair forms and performs a complex courtship. It is a synchronous hermaphrodite: male and female at the same time. Very curious, it often approach divers.

During breeding, the bream groups enter lagoons and estuaries to mate. Sought after since the Antiquity for the quality of its meat: the Romans fattened bream in tanks. Its intensive pisciculture has developed since the 80s.