The bristle-tail file-fish (Acreichthys tomentosus) is a master of mimicry, able to change the color and texture of its skin to blend in with the epiphytes of tropical seagrass beds. It plays an ecological role in controlling the proliferation of these organisms, thus protecting the photosynthesis of the seagrasses it lives in.

The European eel, A. anguilla, is a freshwater fish native to Europe. Abundant until the 1980s, it has been severely affected by overfishing. It is considered a critically endangered species in France and several neighboring countries.

The swallowtail seaperch is found between 30 and 200 meters deep. It lives near cavities where it seeks refuge in case of danger. The male has large pectoral fins and is surrounded by a harem of about a dozen females. If he dies, the dominant female transforms into a male (protogynous hermaphroditism).

Fertilization is internal. The male uses his anal fin to fertilize the female. The female lays a batch of eggs that the male will keep in his mouth until the young hatch. During this period, he does not feed and can die from starvation if he has not accumulated enough reserves.

The boarfish lives on soft or rocky bottoms in the Mediterranean and Northeast Atlantic (up to 700 meters deep). Recognizable by its laterally compressed body and pointed snout, it can quickly extend its mouth forward to capture small prey.

The Mediterranean damselfish is a saltwater fish widely found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. In spring, males defend a spawning area and fan the eggs until they hatch. Juveniles are bright blue and live in small groups.

Dicentrarchus labrax also known as European seabass is an emblematic fish of European coasts. The species has been known and appreciated for its meat since the Antiquity. Unfortunately, it is threatened by overfishing. Today, most of the seabass consumed in Europe are raised in aquaculture farms.

It differs from other bream species by its smaller size and golden reflections. It is a hermaphrodite species protandrous: males become females during their lives. Its meat is less appreciated than other sparidae (sea bream, bream ...).

Unlike other bream species living in the Mediterranean, it has elongated jaws. It is often found in groups formed by other species of fish (bream, salemas). It is highly sought after by fishermen because its flesh has a very fine taste.

They often live in small groups. It teeth allows it to crush the shells and shells of its prey (sea urchins, crustaceans, bivalves ...). It is prized for its meat, with a very fine taste.

It is sometimes called the "Saint Anthony" because of the black strip on the back of it head that resembles the hood of a monk. It is often found in groups with other species of bream. It is highly sought after by fishermen.

The dusky grouper is a major predator of shallow rocky areas, hunting stealthily for octopuses, invertebrates, and fish. Despite its global distribution, it is threatened by overfishing. This species has been protected on the French Mediterranean coast since 1993. The combined effects of regulations, climate change, and marine protected areas contribute to the successful restoration of grouper populations, which are increasing once again.

It is the largest of the seahorse species. During mating, the female lays eggs in the pouch of the male called "Marsupium". When the development of the alevins is completed, the male "gives birth"! The specimens presented in the aquarium were born in captivity.

When young, it easily hides among the Posidonia (underwater flowering plants): it is green with a large white line. The female’s body is covered with small white spots. Around the age of 5 years, it can change sex (hermaphroditism protogynous) and color.

This nocturnal animal also feeds on animal carcasses. Its bite is not venomous, but very painful. Its body, devoid of roughness (scales, pectoral fins...), allows it to easily back into a hole.

Unlike many other sea Sparidae (sea bream, bream ...), it lives near the surface. It is sometimes found in ports where it feeds on waste. In some countries, it is highly prized by fishermen although its flesh is rather soft.

Like all crustaceans, it is forced to mutate to grow. Unlike lobster, it has no large claws, but its shell is covered with thorns. It uses its long antennae as "whips" to protect themselves from predators. Those are captured using traps or nets.

It lives at shallow depth. It is voracious and does not hesitate to strip fishermen’s hooks. Reproduction takes place from March to May. The male delimits a territory with a natural crevice. Several females deposit sticky eggs. The male will watch the eggs until they hatch.

The large pectoral fins of this fish serve as a fish net to capture prey. Its color (alternating dark and light bands) indicate to predators that it is poisonous: there are poison glands in the skin covering its spines. It can cause serious or fatal accidents.

During the day, it lives in schools and often "grazes" Posidonia leaves (underwater flowering plant). It also eats small animals that live hanging on the leaves. Juveniles live in very shallow waters. It flesh, soft and bland, is not appreciated.

It swims very badly and lives on the bottom where it is camouflaged among underwater vegetation. It is hunting from a hide and, like all the scorpion fishes, it is venomous. Very sought after for its flesh, it is easily captured with a harpoon or a net.

It often lives below 30 meters depth. In the spring, it goes close to the surface to spawn in the sea grass. Its spines are venomous. The sting is very painful, but rarely fatal. It is one of the essential ingredients of bouillabaisse.

It breeds easily in captivity. During mating, which can last between 30 and 45 minutes, the male forms a loop around the body of the female. Its flesh is edible, but it liver is toxic. Its reproductive behavior has been studied at the University of Liège.