Temperate Eastern Atlantic Ocean - List of fishes

The dorsal fin of the fish, turned into suction cup allows it to cling to other animals. It sticks mostly to the body of the animal, but also in the mouth or near the gills of some "hosts" (mantas, sharks ...). it often eats its host food leftovers.

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.

During mating, the female lays eggs in the pouch of the male. When the development of the alevins is completed, the male "gives birth"! The specimens exhibited in the aquarium were born in captivity. Sometimes it is caught, dried and sold as a "souvenir" for tourists.

It is one of the largest species of European wrasses. During breeding, the male delimits a territory. From the age of six, females become males (hermaphroditism protogynous). In Britain, the flesh of the big wrasse is highly appreciated.

It differs from the green wrasse (Labrus viridis) with a blue border on the fins. During breeding, the females visit male territories and mate with the most attractive. Around the age of 4 years, they change sex (protogynous hermaphroditism), but not color.

When young, it easily hides among the Posidonia (underwater flowering plants): it is green with a large white line. The female’s body is covered with small white spots. Around the age of 5 years, it can change sex (hermaphroditism protogynous) and color.

The nocturnal animal also feeds on dead animals. Its bite is not venomous, but very painful. It body, completely smooth (scales, flippers ...) allows it to slide easily backwards into a hole. It is one of the ingredients of the "bouillabaisse".

Unlike many other sea Sparidae (sea bream, bream ...), it lives near the surface. It is sometimes found in ports where it feeds on waste. In some countries, it is highly prized by fishermen although its flesh is rather soft.