Canary Islands - List of fishes

Aetomylaeus bovinus, also known as the duckbill eagle ray, is one of the largest rays in the Mediterranean. This species, found in the tropical and warm waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, is still poorly studied but appears to be endangered in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It frequents coastal areas and mainly feeds on crustaceans and mollusks, such as mussels, oysters, and gastropods.

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

Fertilization is internal. The male uses its anal fin to fertilize the female. The latter deposits a packet of eggs that the male will keep in the mouth until hatching. During the period, it does not eat and can starve to death if it has not accumulated enough reserves.

It often looks for food at the bottom. At nightfall, it rises to the surface to eat zooplankton. It sometimes is subject to overfishing in the Mediterranean. It is also used as a bait to catch tuna.

Carcharhinus falciformis, known as the silky shark, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical seas. However, this species is threatened due to overfishing, and is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. Recognizable by its elongated and slender body, gray back, and white belly, this fast and aggressive predator feeds on fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Carcharodon carcharias, known as the white shark, is found in the coastal and oceanic waters of temperate and sub-tropical oceans and seas worldwide. A solitary predator, it feeds on fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals, and can also scavenge on whale carcasses. With a keen sense of sight, it is curious and observant towards objects and activities. It is sometimes responsible for attacks on surfers.

Large males can be recognized by their green backs, their white bellies and their broad orange line on the flanks. The coloration, associated with a characteristic swimming, is used to impress other males and attract the attention of females, but also predators.

Dicentrarchus labrax also known as "european bass", sea bass" or "loup de mer" 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 bars 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.

The atlantic nurse shark is found in the Atlantic Ocean, from the Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil. It spends most of the day resting under rocky shelters or in caves. This nocturnal predator feeds mainly on crustaceans, sea urchins, mollusks, and fish. It is oviparous and reaches sexual maturity at around 220 cm.

During mating, the female lays eggs in the pouch of the male. When the development of the alevins is completed, the male "gives birth"! The specimens exhibited in the aquarium were born in captivity. Sometimes it is caught, dried and sold as a "souvenir" for tourists.

It differs from the green wrasse (Labrus viridis) with a blue border on the fins. During breeding, the females visit male territories and mate with the most attractive. Around the age of 4 years, they change sex (protogynous hermaphroditism), but not color.