Common Name
Patagonian Seabass
Year Described
Jenyns, 1842
Identification
Dorsal Fin: XII-XIII, 15-16
Anal Fin: II-III, 8-10
Pectoral Fin: 15-17
Lateral Line: 67-70 pored
Three or four large spines on the inferior margin of the preopercle, the anterior two pointing anteriorly. Spines longer on both preopercle and opercle than in A. brasiliensis. Caudal fin truncated or slightly rounded. Pectoral fin rounded and at most 28% longer than pelvic fins.
Color
Body dark red, brownish or gray. Closely set dark spots and on body and dorsal and anal fins usually forming dark bands/stripes and irregular vermiculated lines (consistent at all sizes). Pale bars usually not apparent. Fins plain brown.
Size
Maximum size to 65cm SL.
Habitat
On rocky reefs and hard bottoms from 1-90m. Quite common within it's range.
Range
São Paulo State in SE Brazil to south-central Argentina.
References
Irigoyen, A. J., L. C. Gerhardinger, & A. Carvalho Filho. 2008. On the status of the species of Acanthistius (Gill, 1862) (Percoidei) in the South-West Atlantic Ocean. Zootaxa No. 1813: 51-59.
Other Notes
This species and Acanthistius brasiliensis are frequently confused. That species is not found in Argentinean waters. The two species differ in several characters, with the most useful being color pattern, pectoral fin length, scales on lateral line, and the extent of spination and squamation on the opercle/preopercle (Irigoyen et al., 2008).