The body is high, covered with ctenoid scales . The head is large with numerous spikes. The spikes on the prewrap face back. The mouth is finite, oblique. The lower jaw protrudes forward, the symphysial tubercle is small. The dorsal fin is long with 14-16 spiny and 12-15 soft branching rays. In the anal fin there are 3 spiny and 6-8 soft rays. The caudal fin is rounded [1] [3] . In the lateral line 30-33 scales. The vertebrae are 29-31.
The body and head are painted in bright red color, sides with a brownish tint. The belly is a little lighter. In the upper body pass three transverse dark brown stripes. At the rear edge of the gill cover there is a large dark brown spot.
The maximum body length is 35 cm [4] .
Marine bottom fish. They live over rocky soils. In the summer months they move closer to the coast. They feed on small crustaceans and young fish.
Small sea bass grow very slowly and reach puberty only at the age of 10-15 years with a body length of 15-20 cm. Viviparous fish with internal fertilization. After mating, the sperm remains inside the female for several months until the eggs are fertilized. Hatching takes place inside the female, larvae moulder in the summer. Fertility is from 10 to 30 thousand larvae depending on the size of the females. The larvae, when taken out, are 3-4 mm long [1] .
Distributed in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. They are found off the coast of Norway , Scotland , Ireland , the Faroe Islands , and the north of Iceland . Common in the North Sea . Rare in the English Channel and east of Greenland . They live near the coast at a depth of 10 to 300 m, more often at a depth of 50-150 m.
They have limited fishing value. Caught in by- catch in fishing for other bottom fish. They are sold freshly frozen.
