Painted comber
Serranus scriba
Special features
The font bass owes its name to the patterns on its face, which look like ancient characters.
Divers who invade his territory are critically targeted by him.
Most of the time, he then decides that a fight won't pay off and goes into hiding.
He then stays there until the invaders have made their way out of the dust again.
Appearance
The writing bass is easily recognized by its yellow fins, the bright light blue spot on its belly and its striated body.
The light blue spot becomes more and more intense with age.
He has an elongated, torpedo-shaped body with a pointed face.
His mouth is big and expandable.
Natural enemies
Sea eel 
(Conger conger)
Dangerous/Venomous
Writing bass is neither dangerous nor venomous.
Sketch
1. Ename-giving pattern
2. Dark stripes
3. Bright light blue spot
4. Yellow fins
Pro tips
The Painted Comber belongs to the Serranidae family, which means something like “wolf.”
This name is very appropriate, as these animals are loners and feared predators (at least in their weight class).
They feed on small fish, cephalopods, worms, snails, and crabs.
Each of these little wolves has their own shelter on the rocky bottom, which they vehemently defend.
It is not likely to be found on sandy soils.
The loneliness even goes so far that they self-fertilize when no partner is around.
They then stick their eggs to the underside of rocks near the shore.
Text: Carolina Leiter, Felician Hosp, Pia Balaka
Pic: Dive Dict
Illustration: Dive Dict
