Mediterranean

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

Fertilization is internal. The male uses his anal fin to fertilize the female. The female lays a batch of eggs that the male will keep in his mouth until the young hatch. During this period, he does not feed and can die from starvation if he has not accumulated enough reserves.

The boarfish lives on soft or rocky bottoms in the Mediterranean and Northeast Atlantic (up to 700 meters deep). Recognizable by its laterally compressed body and pointed snout, it can quickly extend its mouth forward to capture small prey.

The Mediterranean damselfish is a saltwater fish widely found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. In spring, males defend a spawning area and fan the eggs until they hatch. Juveniles are bright blue and live in small groups.

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.

Dicentrarchus labrax also known as European seabass is an emblematic fish of European coasts. The species has been known and appreciated for its meat since the Antiquity. Unfortunately, it is threatened by overfishing. Today, most of the seabass consumed in Europe are raised in aquaculture farms.

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 lives at shallow depth. It is voracious and does not hesitate to strip fishermen’s hooks. Reproduction takes place from March to May. The male delimits a territory with a natural crevice. Several females deposit sticky eggs. The male will watch the eggs until they hatch.

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.

During the day it feeds on plankton near the surface. It descends to the bottom before dark to capture small invertebrates. The male is more colorful than the female. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite species: females become males. Its flesh is not appreciated.

During breeding season, its color becomes brighter and it builds a large nest with plant debris. It attracts the attention of females by performing a characteristic swimming. It will mate with several of them and it will protect and ventilate the eggs until they hatch.

It is one of the most colorful Mediterranean fish. The female has a black spot on the dorsal fin. The stain will disappear and its color becomes more vivid when it will change sex (hermaphroditism protogynous). It is more abundant in the northern Mediterranean.