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Argentine seabass (Acanthistius brasilianus) — Serranidae

Argentine seabass

Acanthistius brasilianus
Family: Serranidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Argentine seabass (Acanthistius brasilianus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
15.0–82.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southwest Atlantic; continental shelf in cooler waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Argentine sea bass is a sea bass (Serranidae) from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The species has a robust, stocky, brownish body with a large mouth. It lives near the bottom on the continental shelf in cooler waters, often near rocky structures. As a predator it takes smaller fishes and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Argentine seabass?

The Argentine seabass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Large, stocky sea bass of cooler waters; bottom predator around rocky structures.

Where does the Argentine seabass live?

The Argentine seabass lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southwest Atlantic; continental shelf in cooler waters.

How big does the Argentine seabass get?

The Argentine seabass grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Argentine seabass dangerous to humans?

No, the Argentine seabass is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Argentine seabass edible?

Yes, the Argentine seabass is commonly eaten.

More photos

Argentine seabass (Acanthistius brasilianus) — Serranidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Carlos A. Rangel (CC BY 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Argentine seabass verified
Scientific name
Acanthistius brasilianus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Argentine seabass; Sea bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
82.0 verified
Natural range
Southwest Atlantic; continental shelf in cooler waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Smaller fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large, stocky sea bass of cooler waters; bottom predator around rocky structures. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthistius

More from the family Serranidae

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