Serraniculus
Serraniculus is a genus of fish in the family Serranidae, commonly known as sea basses or groupers. The genus comprises small, colorful fish with a unique appearance. They are found in the western Atlantic Ocean, mainly in the Caribbean Sea.
Common Names
Members of the Serraniculus genus are commonly known as:
- Dwarf sea basses
- Pygmy groupers
- Saddlebacks
Characteristics
Serraniculus species share several distinctive characteristics:
- Small size: They are typically less than 10 centimeters in length.
- Bright colors: They exhibit vibrant colors and patterns, often with red, orange, yellow, and black markings.
- Compressed body: Their bodies are laterally compressed, meaning they are flattened from side to side.
- Large eyes: They have relatively large eyes compared to their body size.
- Small mouth: Their mouths are small and protrusible.
Environments
Serraniculus species inhabit a variety of marine environments, including:
- Coral reefs
- Rocky shores
- Seagrass beds
- Mangrove swamps
They are generally found in shallow waters, often hiding amongst the reef structures or in crevices.
References
For further information, you can consult these reliable references:
- FishBase: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Serraniculus.html
- World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS): https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=126734