The European spider crab (Lat. Maja squinado). It is the sole European representative of the subfamily Majinae (Ingle, 1980) and is the largest of approximately 66 species of majid crabs occuring in the north-eastern Atlantic. During the summer depth distribution is coastal, extending from 20-30 m up to the low water mark and even into the intertidal zone, whereas during…

Damsel fish (Lat. Chromis chromis). Coastal species that lives above steep rocky habitats and seagrass meadows, up to 3-50 m deep. It can grow up to 16 cm, usually from 8-12 cm. During mating, which takes place in June, it shows some strange habits: males, very territorial, occupy a limited area in the bottom where the stone is, and females, who…

Sleepy crab (Lat. Dromia personata). The biomass of this species is especially dense in the Mediterranean continental shelf. It mainly resides from the lower shore to a depth of 50 meters (164 ft), often in caves. The body of this crab is often covered by an encrusting sponge, but is recognised by its distinctive pink pincers and the very small fourth and fifth legs.…