Painted comber (Serranus scriba) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Serranidae (sea basses)
Origin
Eastern Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to Senegal and the Canary Islands, plus the Mediterranean and Black Sea; rocky bottoms and seagrass, 5–150 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
36 cm
Temperature
16–22°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
600 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no
Lifespan
Up to 16 years years

Care

Tank and decor: rockwork with caves, as it shelters in rocky caves by day. The tank size given is an estimate based on its adult size. Water: this is a Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic fish, so it suits a cooler (temperate) marine system rather than a tropical reef. The sources give no aquarium figures; as general guidance use about 16–22 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and specific gravity 1.020–1.025. Behaviour: territorial, usually alone or in small groups, coming out at dusk. In the wild it often hangs around octopus dens to scavenge leftover shellfish. Identification: silvery with tan vertical bars and a blue patch on the belly. About 25 cm is typical; the list gives 36 cm as a maximum. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serranusscriba). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A carnivorous ambush predator eating squid and octopus, bivalves, crustaceans, fish and worms. Offer mixed meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, squid and fish.

Breeding

A simultaneous hermaphrodite that can self-fertilise. Spawns from late spring to early summer. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: eats crustaceans, molluscs, worms and small fish. Keep with other temperate fish of similar or larger size.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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