Fin's Fish Guide
The Brown comber (Serranus hepatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 25 cm.
Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the eastern Atlantic, on sandy, silty and seagrass bottoms.
Description
The brown comber is a small sea perch of the family Serranidae reaching about 25 cm. The stout, brownish body bears four to five dark cross-bars and a conspicuous dark spot on the front, spiny part of the dorsal fin. The species lives on sand, mud and seagrass bottoms of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the eastern Atlantic, from shallow to moderate depths. As a territorial bottom hunter it seizes small crustaceans, worms and small fish. Like its relatives the painted and blacktail combers it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite: each individual carries both male and female organs at once. Because of its small size it is mainly a common bycatch and has little commercial value.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Brown comber?
The Brown comber has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Small comber with four to five dark vertical bars and a striking dark blotch on the dorsal fin; simultaneous hermaphrodite.
Where does the Brown comber live?
The Brown comber lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the eastern Atlantic, on sandy, silty and seagrass bottoms.
How big does the Brown comber get?
The Brown comber grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.
Is the Brown comber dangerous to humans?
No, the Brown comber is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Brown comber edible?
The Brown comber is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Brown comber and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Serranus
More from the family Serranidae
Want the complete picture on the Brown comber?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Brown comber is one of 12,519 species in the app.