Description: This fish has a brown back and sides with a distinctive dark stripe that runs from above the mouth almost to the tail. There are also multiple dark vertical bars (usually 7 - 9)running down each side, although these are often broken up by a white to yellow stripe running from the head to the tail. It has a spiny dorsal fin and a concave caudal fin.

Habitat: A Mediterranean species that is only a rare visitor to our shores. Found in depths of 20 - 50 m here, usually around rocky reefs.

Distribution: A southern species only occasionally recorded in south of England. May spread further north with warming seas.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species in Britain or Ireland. Most likely to be mistaken for one of the wrasse species, but should be easily distinguished.

Key Identification Features:

• Brown back and sides with dark, often broken, vertical bars.
• Concave tail fin.
• Dark stripe running from head almost to tail.

Distribution Map from NBN: Serranus cabrilla at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Serranus cabrilla at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Serranus cabrilla

WoRMS: Serranus cabrilla at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Serranus cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 127041.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Perciformes; Percoidei; Serranidae; Serranus