Boarfish

Overview

The Boarfish (Capros aper) is a distinctive, deep-bodied marine fish known for its highly protractile mouth, which forms a short tube when extended. It is a gregarious species that typically forms schools and is widely distributed across the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Appearance

This species features a laterally compressed, oval-shaped body covered in small, rough scales that feel like sandpaper. It possesses large eyes, which are well-adapted for low-light environments, and a long, concave snout. Coloration varies by depth: individuals found in deeper waters often display a brick-red hue, sometimes with yellow bars, while those in shallower waters tend to be straw-yellow or pinkish-orange. Males may exhibit darker vertical stripes on their flanks, and females are generally larger than males.

Distribution & habitat

Boarfish are found in the eastern Atlantic, ranging from Norway and the Shetlands down to Senegal, as well as throughout the Mediterranean. They are demersal fish, typically inhabiting rocky, coralligenous, or sandy substrates at depths between 40 and 700 meters.

Biology & behavior

As a diurnal and gregarious species, Boarfish spend much of their time in schools near the seabed. They are considered harmless and are generally calm in their natural environment.

Feeding

This fish is a carnivore that feeds on a variety of small prey, including crustaceans (such as copepods and shrimps), polychaete worms, and mollusks. It uses its specialized, tube-like mouth to suck in prey as it approaches.

Reproduction

Boarfish are oviparous and spawn in open water. In the Mediterranean, breeding typically occurs between April and June, though this period can extend into August in colder regions. The eggs and larvae are pelagic and contain substances that increase buoyancy, allowing them to drift with ocean currents.