Introducing the serran hepate
The serran hepate is one of the species in the Serranidae family. Its Latin name is Serranus hepatus this fish is found in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic. Sometimes called drum, blackbird or black spot, it lives at depths ranging from 5 meters to over 300 meters.
Stockier than the goat serrano, its maximum size rarely exceeds 15 cm. It is easily recognized by its three to five dark transverse stripes and its black spot in the middle of the dorsal fin. The deeper it lives, the darker its colors. There may be confusion with juvenile brown groupers.
The hepateye is a hermaphroditic fish, meaning it possesses both female and male attributes. Reproduction generally takes place between March and August.
Housing and behavior
The redfish can be found in a variety of biotopes. Rocky bottoms, sediment-covered bottoms, sometimes sandy bottoms, it is mainly found above a depth of 20 meters. Solitary at first sight, it is not uncommon to come across small groups of several individuals. They feed mainly on small prey: worms, crustaceans or small fish.
Looking for fish?
Fishing for stonefish is often a matter of chance. It's not easy to target this species alone, and in fact, given the fish's small size, there's little point in looking for it specifically. If you're looking to discover and fish for new species, the stonefish can be one of those uncommon species to enjoy stalking.
The redfish is most often caught from a boat. Worms are the most popular bait for this voracious fish. You'll need to prospect close to the bottom to catch a redfish.
