Serranidae are a large family of fish, belonging to the Perciform order. The family contains around 450 species in 64 genera, including sea bass and grouper . Although many species are small, in some cases less than 10 cm, the giant grouper is one of the largest bone fish in the world, growing 2.7 m in length and weighing 400 kg.
Summary
[ hide ]
- 1 Morphology
- 2 Features
- 3 Food
- 4 Reproduction
- 5 Sources
Morphology
Serranids have a slightly elongated body. They usually have a single dorsal fin and a rounded tail fin, with a very thick tail fin peduncle. The skin has ctenoid scales and have spines on the preopercle.
They are generally robustly shaped fish, with large mouths and small spines on gill covers. They commonly have several rows of sharp teeth, usually with a pair of very large canine teeth protruding from the lower jaw. Its bright colorations are likely to work as a camouflage of disruptive coloration just like a tiger’s stripes.
characteristics
They are brightly colored. Many serranidae species, and many of the larger species are caught commercially for food. They are normally found on the reefs, in the tropical zone of subtropical waters along the coasts. Serranids are generally robust in shape, with large mouths and small spines on gill liners. They usually have several rows of sharp teeth, usually with a pair of teeth, especially large caniniforms protruding from the lower jaw.
All serranids are carnivorous. Although some species, especially in the Anthiinae subfamily, only feed on zooplankton, most feed on fish and crustaceans. They are usually ambush predators, hidden in the deck on the reef, and darts to grab past prey. Its bright colors are most likely a form of disruptive camouflage, similar to a tiger’s stripes.
Many species are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means they start as females and change males in the future. They produce large amounts of eggs and their larvae are planktonic, usually at the mercy of ocean currents until they are ready to settle in adult populations.
Feeding
All serranids are carnivores. Although some species feed on zooplankton, they feed on most fish and crustaceans. They are usually ambush predators, hidden between the edges and ledges of reefs, in expectation of their next prey, to which they will launch in a swift motion.
Reproduction
Many species are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means that they begin their development as females and change sex to males later. They produce large numbers of eggs and their larvae are planktonic, generally remaining in their youth at the mercy of ocean currents until they are ready to settle in adult populations.
