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Comber (fish)
Comber (fish)
Comber (fish)
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Comber
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Serranidae
Genus: Serranus
Species:
S. cabrilla
Binomial name
Serranus cabrilla
Synonyms[2]
  • Perca cabrilla Linnaeus, 1758
  • Paracentropristis cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904

The comber (/ˈkɒmbər/;[3] Serranus cabrilla) is a species of marine ray-finned fish from the family Serranidae, the sea basses. It is widely distributed in the eastern North and South Atlantic Oceans and into the southwestern Indian Ocean. It is caught for food and fishmeal in some parts of its range.

Description

[edit]

The comber has a relatively stout body with a large head and a prominent jaw.[4] It has two dorsal fins, the first has 11 thin spines and is joined to the second, which has 13–15 branched rays. The anal fin has 3 spines and 7–8 soft rays. The caudal fin is slightly truncate in shape.[5] The colouration of the comber varies from light brown to dark brown to an intense reddish brown. It is marked with 7 to 9 darker transverse bands along its flanks, these are broken by a longitudinal white to yellowish stripe, running from the head to the tail.[6] There are a few yellow or orange longitudinal lines on the sides of the head.[5] The first dorsal fin is normally folded flat against the back when the fish is in the water.[7] The comber can reach a standard length of 40 centimetres (16 in) but 25 centimetres (9.8 in) fish are more common.[2]

Distribution

[edit]

The comber has an extensive distribution in the eastern Atlantic where it is found in the warmer waters in the south and southwest of England and off western Wales,[7] south along the European coast, to the Straits of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It also occur along the west coast of Africa from Morocco southwards to Angola. Combers are found around the islands of Macaronesia and São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea.[1] It also occurs off the coasts of South Africa where it is found from the Cape of Good Hope to KwaZulu-Natal.[2] Records from the Red Sea were thought to be a result of Anti-Lessepsian migration from the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.[1] However, genetic analysis demonstrated that the Red Sea population must have existed before the opening of the Suez Canal.[8]

Habitat and biology

[edit]

The comber occurs over the continental shelf and upper continental slope among rocks, Posidonia beds, and where there are substrates of sand and mud.[2] It can be found to depths of 450 metres (1,480 ft).[1] It is a predatory species which feeds mainly on crustaceans.[2] Off the Canary Islands the diet varied with size, the smaller fish consuming more crabs while the larger fish ate carideans.[9] Elsewhere their diet has been recorded as very varied and includes small and immature fish, annelids, squid and they have also been recorded scavenging on dead marine animals.[7]

The comber is a solitary and territorial species. They spawn between May and July, and are hermaphrodites, mature fish having both ovaries and testes. They are capable of being either male or female, and there are known to have been instances of self-fertilisation where fish have been unable to locate a partner for spawning.[4] Sexual maturity is attained when the fish reaches a length of 152 millimetres (6.0 in).[5]

Fisheries

[edit]

The comber is of low commercial value, approximately 1,000 tons are landed from European waters.[7] It is eaten as well as being processed for fishmeal.[1]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Comber (fish)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The comber (Serranus cabrilla) is a small to medium-sized marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family , the sea basses, known for its body that typically reaches a maximum length of 40 cm standard length, though commonly around 25 cm total length. It features a slender build with a large head, prominent eyes, and sharp teeth including enlarged caniniform ones; the comprises 10 spines and 13-15 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 7-8 soft rays, with pectoral fins that are spatulate and a slightly emarginate caudal fin. Coloration varies by age, season, and habitat for , generally reddish-brown to yellowish with 7-9 dark vertical bands crossed by lighter horizontal stripes, a white belly, translucent fins, though deep-water individuals appear more faded. Widely distributed in the eastern from the and southward to the in , the comber also inhabits the entire (including the western ), the northern , and extends into the southwestern as far as , with populations around offshore islands such as the , , , and . It is a demersal species found from shallow coastal waters down to depths of 500 m on the continental shelf and upper slope, preferring rocky substrates, seagrass beds of , sandy, or muddy bottoms, where it lives solitarily or in small groups, often sheltering under stones or in crevices. Ecologically, the comber is a carnivorous predator that feeds on small , cephalopods, crustaceans, and occasionally annelids, reaching at around 13.7-18 cm and exhibiting simultaneous hermaphroditism, where individuals possess both ovarian and testicular tissue simultaneously, enabling potential self-fertilization, with reproduction occurring in summer in the Mediterranean and pelagic eggs hatching into juveniles that resemble adults by 2.5 cm. It holds minor commercial value as a and for fishmeal in some regions, and is occasionally targeted by recreational anglers or kept in aquaria, but faces no major threats and is classified as Least Concern on the (assessed 2013).

Taxonomy and nomenclature

Taxonomy

The comber, scientifically known as Serranus cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758), belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class , order , family , genus Serranus, and species cabrilla. This classification places it among the ray-finned fishes, specifically within the diverse group of perciform sea basses. Several synonyms have been recorded for S. cabrilla, including Perca cabrilla Linnaeus, 1758, Paracentropristis cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758), and Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904, reflecting historical taxonomic revisions. Within the genus Serranus, which comprises approximately 29 of small to medium-sized sea basses primarily distributed in the Atlantic Ocean and . Genetic studies have further revealed that populations of S. cabrilla in the predate the opening of the in 1869, with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq) analyses demonstrating distinct genetic divergence from Mediterranean counterparts, indicating a natural, pre-canal presence rather than anti-Lessepsian migration.

Common names and etymology

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) is primarily known in English as the "comber," a name reflecting its comb-like structure in some regional dialects. In Spanish-speaking regions, it is commonly called "cabrilla," emphasizing its small size relative to larger sea basses. French nomenclature includes "serran cabrille" and "serran chèvre," with the latter highlighting a perceived goat-like quality in its behavior or form. In , the species is referred to as "perchia," a term shared with other perch-like fishes due to superficial morphological similarities. Regional variants occur in , where speakers use "kammer" in and , adapting the English name to local phonetics. The genus name Serranus originates from the Latin serranus, meaning "saw-like," in reference to the serrated or spiny characteristic of the group. The specific epithet cabrilla derives from the Spanish diminutive of cabra (goat), literally translating to "little ," a term historically applied to various small, agile marine fishes in Iberian waters. Serranus cabrilla was first formally described by in his 1758 work under the binomial Perca cabrilla, placing it initially in the perch genus Perca. Subsequent taxonomic revisions in the reclassified it to the genus Serranus within the family , reflecting advancements in understanding serranine phylogeny.

Physical characteristics

Morphology

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) possesses an elongate and slightly compressed body, characterized by a large head and prominent lower that contribute to its overall shape. The features 10 spines followed by 13–15 soft rays, forming a continuous structure with no distinct notch between the spiny and rayed portions, though the soft rays are slightly elevated. The anal fin includes 3 spines and 7–8 soft rays, while the caudal fin is slightly emarginate. Pectoral fins are broadly rounded with 15–17 soft rays, and pelvic fins are abdominal in position with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. The body is covered in ctenoid scales, which are rough to the touch, with 70–77 scales along the complete, uninterrupted and 12–20 scales in a transverse series from the dorsal-fin origin to the lateral line. Gill rakers are short, numbering 13–15 on the lower limb. The head exhibits a clearly convex dorsal profile, with a terminal mouth that is large and equipped with small, slender, inwardly depressible teeth on the jaws, , and , including enlarged caniniform ones; the reaches below the eye. The eyes are positioned laterally and of normal size relative to the head, aiding in the detection of prey in varied light conditions.

Size and coloration

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) attains a maximum standard length of 40 cm, with common lengths of 25 cm total length and maximum weights reaching 1 kg. is reached at approximately 15.2 cm standard length, with no pronounced in size due to the ' simultaneous hermaphroditic nature. The body coloration ranges from light to , featuring 7–9 vertical bars along the dorsolateral region and 2–3 white horizontal bands extending from the head to the tail, including a prominent white-yellow stripe along the , often with three spots on the gill cover. The ventral surface of the head and belly is mostly white, while the head displays 2–3 orange-ish stripes below and behind the eye, and the caudal and soft dorsal fins bear small bluish dots with or tips on the caudal fin lobes; pelvic and pectoral fins are pale. Juveniles are brighter overall, with a distinct white midlateral stripe bordered above and below by thick black stripes that often fragment into dark blotches from the or pectoral base to the caudal peduncle. Coloration exhibits variation related to depth, with two morphs observed: a red morph predominant in shallower waters above 20 m and a morph in deeper waters below 20 m, the latter typically comprising larger and older individuals.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic distribution

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) has a primary distribution in the eastern , extending from the and southward along the African coast to , encompassing a broad latitudinal range without significant interruptions. This range includes the Macaronesian archipelagos, such as the , , and , as well as offshore islands like and in the . The species is also widespread in the and the western , up to the , contributing to its continuous coastal presence across these connected basins. Populations in the , particularly in the , represent ancient lineages predating the opening of the in 1869, as indicated by genetic analyses showing distinct profiles and divergence patterns inconsistent with recent post-canal migration. Overall, S. cabrilla inhabits depths from 5 to 500 m across its range, indicating a stable, continuous distribution since at least the late 19th-century records. Recent taxonomic studies have revalidated Serranus knysnaensis as a separate in the southwestern , clarifying that S. cabrilla's distribution is confined to the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean, , and .

Habitat preferences

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) primarily inhabits depth zones ranging from 5 to 150 m on continental shelves, with records extending to 450–500 m along upper slopes. This species prefers a variety of substrates, including rocky bottoms that provide structural complexity, beds dominated by , and transitional sandy or muddy areas offering crevices for shelter. Acoustic telemetry studies in the northwestern Mediterranean reveal that individuals allocate significantly more time to rocky habitats than to meadows, highlighting a preference for structured environments conducive to refuge and foraging. Combers are adapted to temperate and subtropical marine conditions, with ranges from 11 to 26°C supporting their distribution across coastal and shelf ecosystems. They frequently associate with biogenic and lithogenic structures such as reefs, caves, and algae-encrusted rocks, which enhance suitability by providing ambush sites amid complex topography.

Biology

Reproduction and life cycle

The comber, Serranus cabrilla, is a simultaneous , possessing both ovarian and testicular tissues that develop concurrently in a single known as an . This synchronous hermaphroditism allows eggs and to mature at the same time, enabling the potential for self-fertilization, though it is rare due to preferential pairing behaviors observed in the species. Histological analyses confirm asynchronous development alongside continuous , supporting a functional reproductive adapted to its demersal lifestyle. Spawning occurs primarily from April to July in the , with peaks varying by locality—often in May—while in subtropical regions like the , it begins in February and extends through July. Females release pelagic, buoyant eggs that are spherical, transparent, and non-adhesive, facilitating wide dispersal in the . Batch ranges from approximately 1,375 to 5,493 eggs per individual, with mean values around 2,869, reflecting multiple spawning events during the season. Individuals reach at a standard length of about 152 mm, corresponding to 1–2 years of age based on rapid early growth patterns. The lifespan typically extends to , though maximum observed ages reach 4 years in some populations. Following , larvae remain planktonic for several weeks, undergoing pelagic development before settlement onto benthic substrates at sizes of 20–30 mm; juveniles subsequently inhabit shallower coastal waters, transitioning to habitats over or vegetated bottoms.

Diet and feeding behavior

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) exhibits a carnivorous diet dominated by crustaceans, which constitute the primary prey group across various populations, often comprising 48–85% of the diet by index of relative importance (IRI). Key crustacean items include decapods such as brachyuran , caridean shrimps, anomurans, and their larvae, reflecting a preference for benthic and epibenthic . Small fishes, typically gobies and sardines, form a secondary component, accounting for approximately 20–30% of the intake, while worms (around 11% in some regions) and cephalopods like appear occasionally, alongside minor scavenged . As an , the comber employs a sit-and-wait , positioning itself motionless within rocky crevices or beds to surprise prey. It utilizes a highly protrusible and rapid head expansion to generate suction for capturing elusive items, enabling efficient predation on mobile crustaceans and without prolonged pursuit. This feeding mode is adapted to its demersal lifestyle, with opportunistic supplementation from available benthic resources. Ontogenetic shifts occur in the diet, with juveniles (recruits under 13 cm total length) relying more heavily on planktonic crustaceans and (up to 49% of diet), transitioning to benthic prey like decapods and teleosts as adults mature. Mature individuals show a refined preference for carideans over brachyurans compared to immatures, aligning with increased mobility and access to structured habitats. Feeding activity displays diurnal peaks, with daytime consumption of carideans and some nocturnal intake of mysids, suggesting crepuscular influences in certain locales.

Growth and behavior

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) exhibits rapid growth during its stages, attaining approximately 75% of its asymptotic length within the first two years before the growth rate slows considerably. This pattern is modeled using the , with parameters varying by region but typically indicating an asymptotic length (L∞) of around 25–33 cm and a growth coefficient (K) of 0.2–0.4 year−1; for instance, in the southwestern Mediterranean off , estimates were L∞ = 32.8 cm and K = 0.41 year−1. Age is determined primarily through analysis of annuli, which reveal growth rings formed annually. The species has a relatively short lifespan, with maximum observed ages of up to 6 years based on readings across multiple populations. Adults display solitary and territorial , particularly on habitats where they defend small areas against conspecifics, showing minimal tendency to form schools. Combers are sedentary, maintaining high site fidelity with home ranges typically smaller than 1 km², often centered on rocky or substrates. They exhibit diel activity patterns, with increased activity and foraging primarily during the day, sheltering in crevices or vegetation at night.

Human interactions

Fisheries and commercial use

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) is primarily captured as in demersal trawl fisheries targeting more valuable species in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, with additional targeted catches using hook-and-line gear and traps in shallower coastal waters. In deeper trawls beyond 200 m, it occasionally appears in mixed catches but remains incidental due to its preference for shelf habitats. Commercial landings of the are minor and variable across European waters, reflecting its status as a low-value often destined for local markets or processing into fishmeal when not sold fresh. According to General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) data, these catches contribute modestly to overall demersal landings, with the frequently mixed with other low-value byproducts during processing. Beyond commercial exploitation, the comber holds appeal in recreational angling, particularly in the UK and Mediterranean coastal areas, where it is targeted by shore-based anglers using light tackle for its fighting qualities in rocky habitats. Its small size (rarely exceeding 30 cm) and attractive coloration also make it suitable for the marine aquarium trade, though it is not a primary species due to availability from wild captures. Regionally, the comber assumes greater importance in artisanal fisheries of (including the ), , and , where small-scale vessels employ traps, gillnets, and handlines to supply fresh to local consumers in coastal communities. In these sectors, it supports livelihoods through direct sales at markets, despite its secondary status compared to high-value demersals.

Conservation status

The comber (Serranus cabrilla) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, with the assessment conducted on 28 March 2014 (version 2014.3). This status reflects the species' resilience, characterized by a medium recovery potential with a minimum population doubling time of 1.4–4.4 years, supported by ongoing monitoring that shows no evidence of significant population reduction. Although the species faces minor threats from , particularly through artisanal and small-scale fisheries that can impact recruitment in coastal areas, its wide geographic distribution helps buffer localized pressures. Habitat degradation, such as the loss of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows due to anchoring, , and coastal development, poses an additional low-level risk to juveniles and adults reliant on these structured environments, but no substantial interactions have been documented. Overall, these threats are not considered severe enough to alter the species' conservation category, as confirmed by regional assessments. Population trends for S. cabrilla are generally stable, with some evidence of slight increases in regulated areas attributed to improved management practices, though comprehensive quantitative decline data remain limited due to variable reporting in fisheries-dependent surveys. The European Red List of Marine Fishes corroborates this stability, noting no observed declines exceeding 30% over three generations in European waters. Conservation efforts include regulation under the European Union's (CFP), which imposes quotas and technical measures to ensure sustainable harvests in EU waters, thereby preventing . Additionally, populations are monitored within Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), such as the Palma Bay MPA in the , where no-take zones and habitat protections help maintain local densities and support spillover effects to adjacent fished areas.

References

  1. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Serranus-cabrilla.html
  2. https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/serranus-cabrilla/?lang=en
  3. https://www.fishi-pedia.com/fishes/serranus-cabrilla
  4. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/198551/42691899
  5. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=127041
  6. https://www.fishbase.se/Nomenclature/1353
  7. https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252013000400809
  8. https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/60637/
  9. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343469963_Anti-Lessepsian_migration_rectified_the_Comber_Serranus_cabrilla_L_1758_existed_in_the_Red_Sea_prior_to_the_Suez_Canal_opening
  10. https://www.fishbase.se/ComNames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=1353&GenusName=Serranus&SpeciesName=cabrilla&StockCode=1371
  11. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cabrilla
  12. https://www.fao.org/4/ad468e/ad468eKZ.pdf
  13. https://www.fishbase.se/physiology/Serranus_cabrilla
  14. https://www.gbif.org/species/2388710
  15. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s002270050024
  16. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2001.tb00559.x
  17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-020-00194-5
  18. https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5057.1.6
  19. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/207132459_Spatial_and_temporal_patterns_in_Serranus_cabrilla_habitat_use_in_the_NW_Mediterranean_revealed_by_acoustic_telemetry
  20. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225487760_Sex_and_reproductive_aspects_in_Serranus_cabrilla_Osteichthyes_Serranidae_Macroscopic_and_histological_approaches
  21. https://nesciences.com/article//71447/
  22. https://www.fishbase.se/LarvalBase/Reproduction/FishEggInfoSummary.php?ID=1353
  23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297369113_Age_growth_and_mortality_of_the_comber_Serranus_cabrilla_Serranidae_in_the_Edremit_Bay_NW_Aegean_Sea_Turkey
  24. https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps2007/327/m327p257.pdf
  25. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259645401_Feeding_habits_of_Serranus_cabrilla_Serranidae_in_the_Canary_Islands
  26. https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjbs.2002.1131.1134
  27. https://brill.com/view/journals/njz/49/2/article-p81_2.pdf
  28. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323831434_Feeding_habits_of_the_comber_Serranus_cabrilla_Linnaeus_1758_Teleostei_Serranidae_from_the_gulf_of_Annaba_Eastern_coast_of_Algeria
  29. https://www.fishbase.se/TrophicEco/DietCompoList.php?ID=1353&GenusName=Serranus&SpeciesName=cabrilla
  30. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Victor-Tuset/publication/259645401_Feeding_habits_of_Serranus_cabrilla_Serranidae_in_the_Canary_Islands/links/0a85e53c64d4366159000000/Feeding-habits-of-Serranus-cabrilla-Serranidae-in-the-Canary-Islands.pdf
  31. https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/26134/
  32. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJF/article/download/100525/44487/467811
  33. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016578360000237X
  34. https://wwwphp.obs-banyuls.fr/Viemilieu/index.php/volume-72-2022/72-issues-1-2/72-1-2-article-1/download.html
  35. https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v427/meps09042
  36. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/1/68
  37. https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/27003/download/pdf/702260
  38. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233635412_Growth_Characteristics_and_Reproduction_of_Comber_Serranus_Cabrilla_Actinopterygii_Perciformes_Serranidae_in_the_Aegean_Sea
  39. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9548369/
  40. https://en.med-ac.eu/files/events_other/_gfcm_wgsad_2022_demersals_report_def.pdf
  41. https://britishseafishing.co.uk/comber/
  42. http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/html/3E0E8799FF8EFFAAD3E3F9C5FB61FB4D/3
  43. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1687428519300792
  44. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272771412002855
  45. https://angelsharknetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2017/05/Nieto-et-al.-2015.-European-red-list-of-marine-fishes.pdf
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