Painted comber

Photo: etrusko25 · CC BY

Painted combers are small, colourfully striped serranid fish that are among the most visually engaging species on shallow Mediterranean rocky reefs. They are simultaneous hermaphrodites — containing both male and female reproductive organs — and pair-spawn with a partner, alternating male and female roles in successive spawning events. At Capo Testa they are found at virtually every depth, perching confidently on exposed granite and posidonia, and are tame enough to approach within camera distance.