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Ghanaian comber (Serranus accraensis) — Serranidae

Ghanaian comber

Serranus accraensis
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ghanaian comber (Serranus accraensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
25.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Ghanaian comber is a small sea bass of the family Serranidae reaching about 20 cm. The elongate, brownish body bears several dark cross-bands and some yellowish tints. The species lives near rocky bottoms and reefs of the continental shelf along the West African coast. As an ambush predator it lurks from cover and sucks in passing small crustaceans, shrimps and small fish with a sudden gulp. Like many related combers (Serranus) it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite: each animal carries both ovarian and testicular tissue at once and can play either role in mating. Because of its small size it has little fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ghanaian comber?

The Ghanaian comber has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Ghanaian comber live?

The Ghanaian comber lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Ghanaian comber get?

The Ghanaian comber grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Ghanaian comber dangerous to humans?

No, the Ghanaian comber is harmless to humans.

Is the Ghanaian comber edible?

The Ghanaian comber is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Accra-zaagbaars inferred
English name
Ghanaian comber verified
Scientific name
Serranus accraensis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Ghanian comber verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Min depth (m)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Simultaneous hermaphrodite verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten verified
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Serranus

More from the family Serranidae

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