Common Name
Pallid Bass
Year Described
Robins & Starck, 1961
Identification
Dorsal Fin: X, 12
Anal Fin: III, 7
Pelvic Fin: I, 5
Pectoral Fin: 15-16
Lateral Line Scales: 45-50
Gill Rakers: 19-23
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 and head pale brownish-tan to whitish and fairly unmarked. There are three or four curved golden bands on the body under the dorsal fin. A pearly white area present between the first two body bars. A golden wash often present around the eye. All fins pale and unmarked except for a golden area on the spinous dorsal fin tip and caudal fin distal tips. Eye golden.
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.