Common Name
Blackear Bass
Year Described
Cuvier, 1829
Identification
Dorsal Fin: X, 12
Anal Fin: III, 7
Pelvic Fin: I, 5
Pectoral Fin: 15-17
Lateral Line Scales: 44-47
Gill Rakers: 15-20
Vertebrae: 10 precaudal, 14 caudal; 24 total
Serranus defined by Robins & Starck (1961) with the following set of characters. Supramaxilla absent. Maxilla not covered by lachrymal. Premaxillary with a dorsal expansion. Teeth present on dentary, premaxilla, vomer, and palatine. Preopercle serrated. Opercle with three spines. Dorsal fin continuous. Caudal fin with 17 principal rays. Branchiostegal rays number 7. Snout, jaw area, and brachiostegal area naked. Scales encroach on bases of median fin membranes. Lateral line arched and continuous.
Color
Body pale whitish with a bluish metallic sheen. A pattern of purplish to yellowish-brown bands is variably expressed depending on mood or association with the bottom. A single dark bar is usually obvious on midbody and extends from the dorsal fin to the belly. The pearly belly bar is indistinct. Opercle with an elongated dark blotch surrounded by light pigment. Fins usually pale whitish to yellowish with few markings. Eye white or yellow.
References
Robins, C.R. & W.A., Starck II. 1961. Materials for a revision of Serranus and related fish genera. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia v. 113 (no. 11): 259-314.