The Blacktail comber (Serranus atricauda) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 43 cm.
Description
The blacktail comber is a sturdy sea perch of the family Serranidae reaching about 43 cm. The brownish body bears several dark cross-bars and a conspicuously dark tail, from which the species takes its name. It lives over rocks and mixed bottoms of the eastern Atlantic around the Macaronesian islands, such as the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries, and along north-western Africa. As a territorial ambush hunter it seizes small fish, crustaceans and squid. Like its relative the painted comber it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite: each individual carries both male and female organs at once. The blacktail comber is a much-caught pan and sport fish around the Atlantic islands.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Blacktail comber?
The Blacktail comber has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.
Where does the Blacktail comber live?
The Blacktail comber lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.
How big does the Blacktail comber get?
The Blacktail comber grows to a maximum of about 43 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.
Is the Blacktail comber dangerous to humans?
No, the Blacktail comber is harmless to humans.
Is the Blacktail comber edible?
Yes, the Blacktail comber is commonly eaten.
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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
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