Common Name
Reef Bass
Year Described
Breder, 1927
Identification
Dorsal Fin: VII, 17-19
Anal Fin: III, 14-16
Pectoral Fin: 14-15
Pelvic Fin: I, 5
Gill Rakers: 5-6+9-11 on first arch
Lateral Line Scales: 24-30
Vertebrae: 10+15-16 = 25-26 total
Body elongate. A triangular fleshy cirrus over eye. Eyes and mouth relatively large. Dorsal spines short and often inconspicuous when pressed against body. Broad soft dorsal and anal fins rearward placed. Caudal fin small and rounded. Branchiostegals 7.
Color
Body brown to reddish brown, becoming paler on the belly and head. Head with three whitish to pinkish bands radiating from eye. Nape yellowish. A conspicuous ocellated black blotch on the opercle surrounded by pale pigment. Markings on body inconspicuous but can have darker marbling. Median fins red to red-brown.
Size
Maximum size to 7.5cm SL.
Habitat
A cryptic bottom dweller living on and around reefs (1-61m).
Range
Widespread in the Caribbean Sea from S. Florida to South America. Also Bermuda.
References
Randall, J. E. & C. C. Baldwin. 1997. Revision of the serranid fishes of the subtribe Pseudogrammina, with descriptions of five new species. Indo-Pacific Fishes No. 26: 1-56, Pl. 1.