Tobaccofish
Serranus tabacarius
(Cuvier, 1829)
Description:
Body cylindrical and elongated. Midbody in shades of orange to brown. Back with alternating series of dark and white to yellow or salmon blotches (S. tabacarius). Belly white. Tail with a dark 'U' -shape.
Juveniles with more distinct markings.
Size up to 22 cm.
Habitat:
Inhabits shallow rocky or coral bottoms with clear water. In groups on deeper reefs, down to 70 m. Tend to stay near the bottom. Synchronously hermaphroditic.
Distribution:
Common to occasional South Caribbean, Bahamas and Caribbean.