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Barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) — Serranidae

Barred sand bass

Paralabrax nebulifer
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 67 cm.

Length
67 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–183.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms near rocks off the west coast of North America.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The barred sand bass is a bass of the family Serranidae from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 67 cm and has a stocky, grey-brown body with faint dark crossbars. It lives on sand bottoms near rocks, from shallow water to about 180 metres, but usually shallower than 30 metres. Juveniles eat benthic invertebrates such as crabs; adults also hunt small fishes. The barred sand bass is a popular sport and food fish off California. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred sand bass?

The Barred sand bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Grey-brown with faint vertical bars; popular sport fish on sandy bottoms near rocks.

Where does the Barred sand bass live?

The Barred sand bass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms near rocks off the west coast of North America.

How big does the Barred sand bass get?

The Barred sand bass grows to a maximum of about 67 cm.

Is the Barred sand bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred sand bass is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred sand bass edible?

Yes, the Barred sand bass is commonly eaten.

More photos

Barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Kai, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Stefanie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) CallieSanDiego, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Barred sand bass verified
Scientific name
Paralabrax nebulifer
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Barred sand bass; Sand bass; Sea bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
67.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
183.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; sandy bottoms near rocks off the west coast of North America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates such as crabs and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
31.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Grey-brown with faint vertical bars; popular sport fish on sandy bottoms near rocks. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with baitfish, shrimp or lures over sandy bottoms near rocks and wrecks. sourced
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 Paralabrax

More from the family Serranidae

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