![\"fish](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/fish-1.jpg\")
\nfish in their natural environment<\/small><\/p>\n
N<\/big>axos is not an island of fishermen (this may be due to the lack of sheltered harbours as well as the relative fertility and abundance of the island, which favours agriculture). However, fishing boats regularly visit the seas around Naxos, coming for example from Paros and the small island of Koufonisi. In the past, commercial fishing took place almost exclusively in the spring months; today, fishing boats can be seen in all seasons. Although there are strict regulations concerning what may be fished how, where and when, this does not mean that fishermen keep to the rules, and inspections are (still) rare, mainly due to the poor equipment of the harbour police. Fortunatley most fishing is still done by small boats (ka\u00edkia) with only a few crew members.<\/p>\n
![\"fishing](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/P1070411-1_450.jpg\")
\nfishing boat close to the islands of M\u00e1kares<\/small><\/p>\n
I<\/big>n any case, snorkellers can still encounter quite a few fish in the sea at Azal\u00e1s. When there is no wind, the first fish species can be spotted right at the sandy beach: here you will often find the well-camouflaged wide-eyed flounder and small bream or mullets. When the water is calm, an attentive observer may spot small blennies<\/a> peeking out of their hiding places or sitting among the algae on the seabed, sometimes even in areas that fall dry between the waves. When snorkelling among the rocks, you will often encounter small shoals of bream, porgy or mullets. You will also frequently encounter various other species such as the strikingly coloured Peacock wrasse, the Ornate wrasse, a parrotfish or a comber, or the small damselfish. The Photo gallery of the fish species<\/strong><\/a> gives an overview over the species that can be seen around Naxos.<\/p>\n A note on identification:<\/strong> Some species usually can be identified easily and reliably. In many cases, however, several related species are difficult to distinguish. Also not all species are included in the field guides; even using the internet, it is difficult to find information on some species. Accordingly, some of the identifications may not be correct.<\/small><\/p>\n And a word about the names:<\/strong> As with many marine animals, there is a great deal of confusion surrounding the names of fish: for almost all species, a large number of synonyms exist that are no longer valid today but are still used in older books. I use the names according to the World Register of Marine Species<\/a> (as of 2020), where you can also find the corresponding synonyms.<\/small><\/p>\n Here you can jump directly to the species<\/strong> (return with the back arrow or by swiping back): The blennies and gobies<\/a> are treated in an article of their own.<\/p>\n M<\/big>orays, which belong to the order of the eels, have a very elongated, snake-like body with a continuous low dorsal fin that runs from the head to the tail. They have no scales. The Mediterranean moray is brownish with yellowish spots and can grow up to 1.5 meters. Morays are predators that feed on fish, crabs and squid. They have sharp, backward-pointing teeth that can also be dangerous to humans. During the day, they hide in caves, sometimes with their heads sticking out (which is why you should be careful when you put your hands on rocks in the sea; however, so far I have never heard of an accident).<\/p>\n M<\/big>orays are common in our sea, but they are rarely seen.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he European conger is also elongated and snake-like and has no scales. Congers live in a similar way to morays. They can reach a length of 3 meters. Female congers do not reach sexual maturity until they are 15 years old. The congers of the Mediterranean Sea probably gather off Sardinia and in the southern Adriatic Sea to spawn. The females lay up to 8 million eggs. After spawning, the congers die.<\/p>\n M<\/big>ost lizardfish live in the deep sea; they differ from other true bony fish in fundamental characteristics, such as their special gill arches. They do not have a gas bladder.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he lizardfish has an elongated, cylindrical body that gradually tapers towards the end. Its head is flattened and has a very large mouth with long, pointed teeth. The lizardfish has a small, triangular dorsal fin approximately in the middle of its body and a second tiny one further back. It has a brownish colour with indistinct transverse stripes.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he lizardfish lives on the sandy sea floor. It often buries itself almost completely in the sand, making it difficult to spot. It feeds mainly on small fish. At first glance, it can be confused with a weever fish, which it resembles in habitat and behaviour.<\/p>\n S<\/big>corpionfish are strong, reddish-coloured fish with very large heads and poisonous spines on their gill covers and dorsal, anal and ventral fins. They have skin appendages on their heads that serve as camouflage by obscuring the outline of the fish and making them look like seaweed. The irregularly spotted colouring of the fish also provides excellent camouflage; the fish, which sit motionless on the sea bottom, are very easy to overlook. The three scorpionfish species that occur in the Mediterranean differ mainly in their skin appendages.<\/p>\n S<\/big>corpionfish are common in our waters, even though they are rarely spotted when snorkelling. Due to their highly poisonous spines, which cause severe pain, extreme caution is advised when handling even dead animals.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Small red scorpionfish is similar to the former species in appearance and behaviour, but reaches only a length of 25 cm.<\/p>\n G<\/big>roupers are among the largest fish in coastal waters, growing up to 1.5 meters in length. They have a massive, oval-shaped body and brownish colouring, usually with irregular lighter spots, and a large mouth with a slightly protruding lower jaw and numerous sharp teeth. There are three spines on the large gill covers; the powerful dorsal fin also has spines in its front part. The caudal fin is rounded; the scales are small. Nine species of Epinephelus<\/em> occur in the Mediterranean; they are difficult to tell apart.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Dusky grouper is territorial and lives mainly at depths of 10 to 100 meters, where it spends the day in caves. At night, it swims around and hunts its prey, mainly smaller fish. Large specimens have become rare today due to intensive fishing.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Comber is a small fish (up to 25 cm) that is commonly found in coastal areas at depths of up to around 100 m, particularly on rocky and stony bottoms. It is a solitary and territorial fish. The Comber can be recognised by its brown vertical stripes with a whitish longitudinal band in the middle of its body. It also has slight spines on its gill cover. All perch are carnivorous, feeding on small molluscs, small fish, crabs, etc. Accordingly, they have a fairly large mouth with small, pointed teeth.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Painted comber has irregular brown stripes and is rather dark. It can be easily recognised by the blue spot on its sides and the fine blue-red markings on its elongated head. It grows to a length of 25 cm and mainly lives on rocky substrates. It is also territorial. It is somewhat rarer than the other two small perch, but can also be easily observed. Many fish are hermaphrodites, but in most cases they change sex, i.e. they are female for the first few years and then become male or vice versa. The Painted comber is a true hermaphrodite that produces eggs and sperm at the same time.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Swallowtail sea perch can easily be recognised by its red colouring with yellowish stripes on the head. In males the third spiny ray of the dorsal fin, the pelvic fins and the outer rays of the caudal fin are greatly elongated. The Swallowtail sea perch reaches a size of 25 cm. It occurs at depths of around 30 m, so it is not normally encountered when snorkelling.<\/p>\n O<\/big>ne particularly large fish in the Mediterranean is the wreckfish, which can reach 2 meters in length and weigh up to 100 kilograms. As an adult, it lives at greater depths and can be recognised by a spiny ridge along its gill cover and spiny protuberances above its eyes.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Mediterranean cardinalfish, which grows to a length of around 15 cm, lives in crevices in rock faces at relatively great depths (10 to 50 m, and even up to 200 m); it only ventures away from its hiding place at night in search of food. Mediterranean cardinalfish are mouthbrooders, which means that after mating and egg laying, accompanied by long courtship, the male takes the eggs into his mouth and cares for and guards them until they hatch after a week. The young larvae are also protected until their yolk sac is used up. During brood care, the males do not eat.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Mediterranean cardinalfish is the only species of cardinalfish native to the Mediterranean. It is rarely encountered, as it usually stays at slightly greater depths.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Brown meagre has a dark silvery colouring and a low-set mouth. Its slightly yellowish tail and dorsal fins and the striking white rays at the front of its ventral and anal fins are also characteristic. It occurs regularly in our waters, albeit not frequently, and grows to a length of up to 50 cm. It is predominantly nocturnal and often “stands” in front of its hiding place. The Brown meagre belongs to the family Scianidae<\/em> which are called drums or croakers, because the males can emit tapping and croaking sounds during courtship, which they produce by vibrating their swim bladder with the help of special muscles.<\/p>\n M<\/big>ullets live on the sea floor, especially on sandy bottom, but also above seagrass meadows and rocks. They feed mainly on invertebrates living in the sand, which they find with their long barbels. To feed, they dig pits and holes in the sand, often burying their heads completely in the sand. Red mullets usually live in small groups. They are often accompanied by other fish that try to prey on organisms disturbed by their digging. Red mullets have a reddish colouring, two triangular dorsal fins and a steep head profile. Their scales are very large.<\/p>\n U<\/big>nlike the related Striped red mullet, the Red mullet lacks the stripes on its dorsal fin.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Striped red mullet can be recognised by the brownish longitudinal stripes on its body and the two stripes on its first dorsal fin. It is quite common and occurs at depths of up to 80 metres.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he small picarels have a strongly protruding mouth, a slightly humped back and a characteristic black spot on their side. They grow to a length of around 20 cm. Blotched picarels live in shoals at depths of 5 to over 100 m.<\/p>\n T<\/big>his species of picarel has a narrower body shape and smaller eyes. It grows to a length of 20 cm, but usually remains smaller. It lives in shoals, mainly over sandy bottoms.<\/p>\n B<\/big>reams of various species are very common near the coast. They often form large shoals, which are frequently joined by wrasse or other species.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Gilt-head bream is the only species of the genus Sparus<\/em>. It usually grows to a length of 35 cm (some specimens even grow significantly larger) and was already a popular fish in ancient times. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent areas of the Atlantic Ocean. Today, it has become rare in the wild, but is farmed on a large scale in aquaculture.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Common dentex, which can grow to a length of one meter, is one of the most popular edible fish in the Mediterranean. It has a silvery-reddish colouring and can be recognised by its sloping snout, rounded back and strong, protruding teeth. As juveniles, dentex live in small shoals, but adults are solitary. They are nocturnal and occur at depths of up to 30 meters, mainly over sand and seagrass meadows. They are effective predators and feed mainly on Mediterranean sand smelt.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Red porgy resembles the previous species. It is also reddish in colour, but has a slightly steeper, convex head profile and a short, rounded snout. The pectoral fins are very long and narrow, and the caudal fin is deeply forked with white tips. This species is also a hunter. It grows to a length of up to 80 cm.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Common two-banded seabream is one of the most common of the many smaller bream species found in the Mediterranean Sea. Like all seabream, it has a strongly flattened, high body of silvery colour with a forked tail fin. The Common two-banded seabream can be recognised by its two strong dark vertical bands, one behind the head and the other at the end of the body. It grows to a length of up to 40 cm. Seabream live in rocky littoral areas and sea grass beds. They often swim in small shoals of different species around the rocks, where they search for their food. Larger specimens can occasionally be found in caves and between rocks. Almost all bream are omnivorous; they have a small mouth with strong but not pointed teeth at the front, and sometimes flat “molars” further back.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Annular seabream resembles the Common two-banded seabream in behaviour and appearance. However, it has a slightly lower body and only one black horizontal stripe on its caudal peduncle. Unlike most other bream, its front teeth are straight. The Annular bream can often be observed with the two-banded bream in mixed shoals.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he White seabream is very similar to the two previous species, but has a slightly taller body and several thin horizontal stripes. It can be distinguished from the similar Annular seabream by its upper front teeth, which protrude diagonally forwards. Like the other two species, it is quite common in our waters and can grow up to 45 cm in length.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Sharpsnout seabream has a more pointed snout and alternating wider and narrower dark stripes on the sides of its body and a distinct black band on its caudal peduncle. It is the largest of the species in the genus Diplodus<\/em>, reaching a body length of 60 cm (although we never have seen a specimen of this size). It is also frequently found in our area.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Common pandora is a reddish species of bream (usually up to 25 cm, though it can become larger) with very long pectoral fins and a straight, pointed head profile. It lives mainly in somewhat deeper water.<\/p>\n T<\/big>his species has a reddish colouring like the previous one. The head profile is particularly steep, and the snout is short and round. The tail fin is large and deeply forked. Characteristic is a black spot at the front edge of the lateral line. The Blackspot seabream lives only at greater depths, which is why its eyes are very large.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Saddled seabream has a silvery, elongated body with a distinct black spot at the top of its caudal peduncle. It grows to a length of up to 30 cm. Saddled seabream have a relatively large, slightly protruding mouth with very small teeth. They feed on all kinds of small organisms. They are not very common, but can sometimes be seen on sandy beaches, often in mixed shoals with other bream.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Salema porgy, which also belongs to the bream family, has an elongated body with a silvery colour and narrow golden stripes, which are less visible on the living animal underwater than when dead. With a length of up to 40 cm, it is one of the larger bream species. Salema porgy are very common; when snorkelling, you will often encounter small shoals grazing on the rocks.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Salema porgy have a small mouth with flat teeth. They are almost the only fish in our waters that feed exclusively on algae and seaweed (as adult animals). Accordingly, they have a very long intestine and their flesh tastes slightly different from that of other bream.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Bogue is a rather small species of bream that reaches a maximum length of 30 cm. It has a narrow body with slight yellow longitudinal stripes. Its eyes are quite large and its dorsal fin can be retracted into a skin fold. The Bogue is very common in our area and often swims in large shoals. In summer, the young fish gather at night in shallow water right by the coast, where they can be so densely packed in small bays that they appear as a dark mass. In such places, with some luck and skill, one may catch the fish with a hand net directly from the shore.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Black seabream is quite dark in colour, especially the head. Its body often has a slight golden sheen. The head is very short and round. Faint, fine longitudinal stripes can be seen on the body. It grows to a length of 45 cm. Sea bream live above sandy and rocky bottoms at slightly greater depths.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Striped seabream resembles the species of the genus Diplodus<\/em>. It has a particularly flattened body and a very elongated head. The sides of the body show about 15 narrow transverse bands. The Striped seabream grows to a length of 55 cm and is mainly found over sandy and muddy seafloors. It often swims in large shoals.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Wrasses are characterised by their particularly slimy skin and their protruding mouth with thick, bulging lips. Their dorsal fin reaches over a great part of the back; the tail fin is rounded. A whole range of wrasse species are common in our area.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Green wrasse is olive-coloured with a light longitudinal stripe and spotting in the lower part of the body. Its head is relatively long (longer than its body height). The fins are yellow-green to orange in colour. The Green wrasse lives in seagrass meadows. It grows to a length of up to 45 cm.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Brown wrasse is very dark in colour. Its pectoral fins are dark yellow. It has particularly fleshy lips. The brown wrasse lives over coastal algae beds. It grows to a length of up to 40 cm.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Cuckoo wrasse is particularly elongated with a long, pointed head. The males are yellowish in colour with darker longitudinal stripes and a blueish head, while the females are bright red with three black spots on their backs. The Cuckoo wrasse grows to a length of up to 40 cm. It is quite rare in our waters. The male builds a nest out of algae, which it defends fiercely.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Five-spotted wrasse (here a small specimen, but already looking much like the adults) can be recognised by its oval shape, brownish colouring, almost chessboard-like markings, brown lines on the head and five dark spots on the back extending to the dorsal fin. The adult, which grows to a size of up to 20 cm, has a distinctly arched belly.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Five-spotted wrasse is found in shallow water near the coast. It feeds on molluscs, crabs, sea urchins and hydrozoans. The male builds a nest, which it defends fiercely, by digging a small pit in the sand and building a wall of algae in front of it. The eggs are guarded and supplied with fresh water by fanning with the fins.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he East Atlantic peacock wrasse is yellowish-green with darker, sometimes red-spotted longitudinal stripes. They have a dark spot on both the caudal peduncle and above the pectoral fin. The East Atlantic peacock wrasse grows to a length of 20 cm and is not very shy. It lives on algae-covered rocks and seagrass meadows. The male guards the eggs.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Mediterranean peacock wrasse has striking colouring: the females are reddish-brown on the back with a white belly or only a narrow white longitudinal stripe; the males in mating season obtain a blue colour with a bright orange longitudinal stripe with jagged edges. Mediterranean peacock wrasses are small, elongated fish with a pointed head and very small scales; like all wrasse, their bodies are covered with a layer of mucus.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Mediterranean peacock wrasses are common in our area, both in rocky littoral areas and in seaweed meadows. They usually live alone, but can also form small groups. At night, they burrow into the sand.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Ornate wrasse resembles the Mediterranean peacock wrasse in body shape, but is easily recognisable by its characteristic colouring. Juveniles and females are greenish to orange-brown in colour with five bright green-blue, narrow cross bands and a black spot on the dorsal fin. Males are greenish-blue and have only one band behind the pectoral fins; this is blue at the front and orange at the back. The head is reddish with blue markings. Like all wrasse, Ornate wrasses are first female and then male; males are much rarer than females. Unlike other species, they do not build nests, but release their eggs freely into the water.<\/p>\n O<\/big>rnate wrasses live on rocky bottoms from shallow water to great depths. They are limited to the warmer areas of the Mediterranean Sea. They are common and easy to observe, swimming tirelessly around. At night, they burrow into the sand.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he strange Pearly razorfish is unmistakable with its pink colouring with fine blue vertical lines, its strongly flattened body and its particularly steep head profile. It belongs to the wrasse family and shares with them, among other things, thick lips and a long dorsal fin. It lives above sandy bottoms at depths of up to 50 meters; when threatened, it burrows headfirst into the sand. It is speculated that they also spend the winter buried in the sand. I have never encountered a razorfish while snorkelling, but it is occasionally caught in nets.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Mediterranean parrotfish is the only European species of its family whose other members live in tropical coral reefs. The parrotfish has an oval body with a rounded tail fin. The males are grey in colour and the females are bright red with a purple-brown spot on their shoulders. However, the colouring can fade depending on their mood. The parrotfish swims in a characteristic manner by beating its pectoral fins. Its scales are very large. The body has a layer of mucus, similar to that of wrasse. A characteristic feature is its small mouth, whose teeth are fused into a powerful “beak”, which it uses to gnaw calcareous algae from rocks. At the back of its mouth, it has two powerful chewing ridges, which are used to grind the algae. The Mediterranean parrotfish is common and can be found near the coast in rocky areas and seagrass meadows.<\/p>\n M<\/big>editerranean parrotfish can grow up to half a meter in length. In the past, people used to tie a fish (especially females) to a line and walk it along the coast. This attracted more parrotfish (especially males), which could then be caught with hand nets.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Damselfish, which lives in the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, belongs to a family of mostly tropical fish. It only reaches a size of 15 cm and is quite common in our area. Damselfish usually swim in shoals around rocks. Adult fish are very dark, almost black in colour; younger specimens have a bright blue stripe on their heads and young fish are completely bright blue. The males occupy territories to which they invite the females; the females lay their eggs on rock surfaces that have been cleaned by the males. The males fiercely defend the clutch until the eggs hatch.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Atlantic stargazer, which grows up to 30 cm in length, is unmistakable. It has an elongated body that tapers towards the rear and a very large, broad, flattened head. Its eyes are located on the top of the head. The very large mouth also points upwards. The Atlantic stargazer has two small dorsal fins; the front one is black in colour. The fish carries a strong spine on its shoulder, which is said to be poisonous. It can also deliver electric shocks.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Atlantic stargazer lives on the sandy sea floor at depths of around 15 metres or more. It often buries itself in the sand, leaving only its eyes and mouth exposed. It lies in wait for its prey, which it attracts with its protruding, writhing, worm-like tongue. It then suddenly snaps the prey with its large mouth.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he weever species have elongated bodies that gradually taper towards the end, with long dorsal and anal fins that extend along the entire length of the body. A small first dorsal fin with venomous spines is located in front of the long second dorsal fin. The gill cover also carries a venomous spine. The mouth is large and the eyes are directed upwards. The Green weever is brownish in colour with light, diagonal stripes. It grows to a length of up to 30 cm.<\/p>\n U<\/big>nlike scorpionfish, weevers can be a danger to people bathing at the beaches, as they often sit buried in the sand in shallow water, so that you can step on them (especially if you run into the water, giving the fish no time to escape). The venom causes severe pain and, in rare cases, can even cause heart problems. However, there is a simple antidote: as the venom is a protein, it can be rendered harmless by heat. Its effect wears off quickly if the affected body part is held in very hot water for some time.<\/p>\n The blennies and gobies<\/a> are treated in an article of their own.<\/p>\n T<\/big>he Greater amberjack is a fish of the open water, which is why you don’t normally encounter it when snorkelling. However, it is often caught by fishermen. It usually swims in shoals, often in rather shallow water. Younger fish are amber in colour; older fish are silver-grey with a slight pinkish tinge. Young fish often swim under the umbrellas of large jellyfish. The Greater amberjack has two dorsal fins, the first of which is significantly smaller. It can grow to a length of almost 2 m. Sometimes a Greater amberjack swims in T<\/big>he White trevally is found worldwide. It occurs mainly in tropical regions, but also in the Mediterranean Sea. It usually swims in small shoals in rather shallow water. It grows to a length of over 1 meter.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\nSpecies of fish around Naxos<\/font><\/a><\/p>\nFish species around Naxos<\/h3>\n
\nMoray, conger<\/a> – Lizardfish<\/a> – Scorpionfish<\/a> – Groupers, comber, perch<\/a> – Wreckfish, cardinalfish<\/a> – Drumfish (Brown meagre)<\/a> – Mullets (Mullus)<\/em><\/a> – Picarel<\/a> – Seabream<\/a> – Wrasse<\/a> – Parrotfish<\/a> – Damselfish<\/a> – Stargazer and Weever<\/a> – Mackerels<\/a> – Barracuda<\/a> – Amberjack, Trevally, Horse mackerel<\/a> – Rabbitfish<\/a> – Flatfish<\/a> – Pipefish, Cornetfish<\/a> – John Dory<\/a> – Triggerfish<\/a> – Mullets (Chelon)<\/em><\/a> – Sand smelt<\/a> – Garfish<\/a><\/p>\nA: Elapomorpha<\/em><\/h3>\n
A 1.Anguilliformes<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
A 1.1.Muraenidae<\/em> (Morays)<\/h4>\n
Mediterranean moray, Muraena helena<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Mur\u00e4ne\"](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/muraena_helena-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEuropean conger, Conger conger<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"European](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/conger_conger-1.jpg\")
\nThe European conger is uniformly blue-grey in colour. This specimen is rather short, but thick.<\/small><\/p>\nB: Aulopiformes<\/em> (Lizardfish and allies)<\/h3>\n
B 1.Synodontidae<\/em> (Lizardfish)<\/a><\/h4>\n
Atlantic lizardfish, Synodus saurus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Atlantic](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/synodus_saurus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nC: Percomorpha<\/em><\/h3>\n
1. Scorpaeniformes<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
1.1. Scorpaenoidei<\/em><\/h3>\n
1.1.1. Scorpaenoidae<\/em> (Scorpionfish)<\/h4>\n
Red scorpionfish, Scorpaena scrofa<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Red](\"http:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/scorpaena_scrofa-2.jpg\")
\nApart from its size, the Red scorpionfish can be recognised by the skin appendages on the lower part of the head. It can grow up to 50 cm in length.<\/small><\/p>\nSmall red scorpionfish, Scorpaena notata<\/em>, Rafinesque<\/h6>\n
![\"Small](\"http:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/scorpaena_notata-1.jpg\")
\nThe Small red scorpionfish has skin appendages above the eyes, but none on the chin; it often has a black spot on the dorsal fin.<\/small><\/p>\nBlack scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Black](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/scorpaena_porcus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Black](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/scorpaena_porcus-2.jpg\")
\nThe Black scorpionfish differs from the former species in that it has no black spot on the dorsal fin.<\/small><\/p>\n1.2. Serranoidei<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
1.2.1. Serranidae<\/em><\/h4>\n
Dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus<\/em>, Lowe<\/h6>\n
![\"Dusky](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/epinephelus_marginatus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Dusky](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/epinephelus_marginatus-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nComber, Serranus cabrilla<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Comber,](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/serranus_cabrilla-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Comber,](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/serranus_cabrilla-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPainted comber, Serranus scriba<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Painted](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/serranus_scriba-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSwallowtail sea perch, Anthias anthias<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Swallowtail](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/anthias_anthias-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. Perciformes<\/em><\/h3>\n
2.1. Percoidei<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
2.1.1. Polyprionidae<\/em> (Wreckfish)<\/h4>\n
Atlantic wreckfish, Polyprion americanus<\/em>, Bloch & Schneider<\/h6>\n
![\"Atlantic](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/polyprion_americanus-2.jpg\")
\nHere, just for documentation purposes, a specimen purchased from a fisherman in Moutsouna.<\/small><\/p>\n2.1.2. Apogonidae<\/em><\/h4>\n
Mediterranean cardinalfish, Apogon imberbis<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Mediterranean](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/apogon_imberbis-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Mediterranean](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/apogon_imberbis-2.jpg\")
\nThis Mediterranean cardinalfish we found while snorkelling at our beach.<\/small><\/p>\n2.1.3. Scianidae<\/em><\/a><\/h4>\n
Brown meagre, Sciaena umbra<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Brown](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/sciaena_umbra-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2.1.4. Mullidae<\/em><\/a><\/h4>\n
Red mullet, Mullus barbatus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/mullus_barbatus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Red](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/mullus_barbatus-2.jpg\")
\nRed mullets feed on small animals that live in the sandy seabed. They burrow through the sand to find their prey, which they locate using their barbels, that are equipped with touch and smell sensors.<\/small><\/p>\nStriped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Striped](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/mullus_surmuletus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2.1.5. Centracanthidae<\/em><\/a><\/h4>\n
Blotched picarel, Spicara maena<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Blotched](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/spicara_maena-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Blotched](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/spicara_maena-2.jpg\")
\nHere you see the characteristic mouth when it is extended.<\/small><\/p>\nSpicara smaris<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Spicara](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/spicara_smaris-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2.1.6. Sparidae<\/em> (Sea breams)<\/a><\/h4>\n
![\"breams\"](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/brassen-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"breams\"](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/brassen-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"breams\"](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/brassen-3.jpg\")
\nThe bream graze on the algae and eat small invertebrates that live in between them.<\/small><\/p>\nGilt-head bream, Sparus aurata<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Gilt-head](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/sparus_aurata-1.jpg\")
\nThe Gilt-head bream is a large species of bream. It can be recognised by the golden stripe between its eyes. Today, Gilt-head bream are very rare in our seas, but they are often farmed in aquaculture. They feed mainly on mussels, snails and crabs, which they crack open with their powerful mouth.<\/small><\/p>\nCommon dentex, Dentex dentex<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Common](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/dentex_dentex-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRed porgy, Pagrus pagrus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/pagrus_pagrus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCommon two-banded seabream, Diplodus vulgaris<\/em>, Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire<\/h6>\n
![\"Common](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/diplodus_vulgaris-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAnnular seabream, Diplodus annularis<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Annular](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/diplodus_annularis-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Annular](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/diplodus_annularis-2.jpg\")
\nThe Annular seabream can be recognised by the dark band on the caudal peduncle.<\/small><\/p>\nWhite seabream, Diplodus sargus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"White](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/diplodus_sargus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo<\/em>, Walbaum<\/h6>\n
![\"Sharpsnout](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/diplodus_puntazzo-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCommon pandora, Pagellus erythrinus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Common](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/pagellus_erythrinus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBlackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo<\/em>, Br\u00fcnnich<\/h6>\n
![\"Blackspot](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/pagellus_bogaraveo-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSaddled seabream, Oblada melanura<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Saddled](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/oblada_melanura-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSalema porgy, Sarpa salpa<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Salema](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/sarpa_salpa-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Salema](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/sarpa_salpa-2.jpg\")
\nThe Salema porgy is one of the most common fish in our area. They swim in smaller or larger shoals, often together with other species.<\/small><\/p>\nBogue, Boops boops<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Bogue,](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/boops_boops-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBlack seabream, Spondyliosoma cantharus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Black](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/spondyliosoma_cantharus-1.jpg\")
\nThe Black seabream can be recognised by its very steep forehead.<\/small><\/p>\nStriped seabream, Lithognathus mormyrus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Striped](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/lithognathus_mormyrus-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Striped](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/lithognathus_mormyrus-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2.2. Labroidei<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
2.2.1. Labridae<\/em> (Wrasses)<\/h4>\n
Green wrasse, Labrus viridis<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Green](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/labrus_viridis-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBrown wrasse, Labrus merula<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Brown](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/labrus_merula-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Brown](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/labrus_merula-2.jpg\")
\nThe Brown wrasse has particularly thick, fleshy lips.<\/small><\/p>\nCuckoo wrasse, Labrus mixtus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Cuckoo](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/labrus_mixtus-2.jpg\")
\nThe female Cuckoo wrasse can be recognised by its red colouring and particularly elongated body and head shape.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Cuckoo](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/labrus_mixtus-1.jpg\")
\nThe male, on the other hand, is orange-yellow with blue markings on its head and sides; its fins have a dark blue edge.<\/small><\/p>\nFive-spotted wrasse, Symphodus roissali<\/em>, Risso<\/h6>\n
![\"Five-spotted](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/symphodus_roissali-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEast Atlantic peacock wrasse, Symphodus tinca<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"East](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/symphodus_tinca-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"female](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/symphodus_tinca-2.jpg\")
\nSometimes we see wrasses with a very dark longitudinal stripe. Maybe they are also East Atlantic peacock wrasses, probably females.<\/small><\/p>\nMediterranean peacock wrasse, Coris julis<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Mediterranean](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/coris_julis-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOrnate wrasse, Thalassoma pavo<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Ornate](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/thalassoma_pavo-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Ornate](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/thalassoma_pavo-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Ornate](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/thalassoma_pavo-3.jpg\")
\nAlthough Ornate wrasses are very common in our waters, it is not easy to take a good photo of them, as they swim around tirelessly in their territories.<\/small><\/p>\nPearly razorfish, Xyrichtys novacula<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Pearly](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/xyrichtys_novacula-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2.2.2. Scaridae<\/em> (Parrotfish)<\/a><\/h4>\n
Mediterranean parrotfish, Sparisoma cretense<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Mediterranean](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/sparisoma_cretense-3.jpg\")
\nMediterranean parrotfish<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Mediterranean](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/sparisoma_cretense-1.jpg\")
\nbelow a female, above a male<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Mediterranean](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/sparisoma_cretense-2.jpg\")
\nHere you see the strong teeth, wich the parrotfish uses to scrape calcareous algae off the rocks.<\/small><\/p>\n2.2.3. Pomacentridae<\/em><\/a><\/h4>\n
Damselfish, Chromis chromis<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Damselfish,](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/chromis_chromis-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Damselfish,](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/chromis_chromis-2.jpg\")
\nIn this younger Damselfish one sees the bright blue stripe on the head.<\/small><\/p>\n2.3. Trachinoidei<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
2.3.1. Uranoscopidae<\/em><\/h4>\n
Atlantic stargazer, Uranoscopus scaber<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Atlantic](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/uranoscopus_scaber-1.jpg\")
\nThe Atlantic stargazer has an unmistakable club-like body shape.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Atlantic](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/uranoscopus_scaber-2.jpg\")
\nCharacteristic features are the black front dorsal fin and the shoulder spines, one of which is clearly visible here.<\/small><\/p>\n![\"Atlantic](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/uranoscopus_scaber-3.jpg\")
\nHere you can see the tongue shaped like a worm which the fish uses to attract ist prey.<\/small><\/p>\n2.3.2. Trachinidae<\/em> (Weevers)<\/h4>\n
Green weever, Trachinus draco<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n
![\"Green](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/trachinus_draco-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Green](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/trachinus_draco-2.jpg\")
\nHere you can see the poisonous spines on the gill cover and the front dorsal fin.<\/small><\/p>\n2.4. Blennioidei<\/em> und 2.5. Gobioidei<\/em>: Blennies and gobies<\/h3>\n
2.6. Carangoidei<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n
2.6.1. Carangidae<\/em><\/h4>\n
Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili<\/em>, Risso<\/h6>\n
\n a shoal of Salema porgies so that it can approach smaller fish unnoticed.<\/p>\n![\"Greater](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/seriola_dumerili-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhite trevally, Pseudocaranx dentex<\/em>, Bloch & Schneider<\/h6>\n
![\"White](\"https:\/\/azalas.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/photos\/naxos\/fauna\/fish\/pseudocaranx_dentex-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAtlantic horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus<\/em>, L.<\/h6>\n