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Bigeye bass (Pronotogrammus eos) — Serranidae

Bigeye bass

Pronotogrammus eos
Family: Serranidae

The Bigeye bass (Pronotogrammus eos) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
155.0–325.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The bigeye bass is a fairy basslet (Serranidae) from deeper rocky and reef water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, orange-pink body with large eyes and yellow fin sheens. As a social fish it hovers in loose groups above the deeper reef slope and snaps at zooplankton drifting past in the current. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye bass?

The Bigeye bass has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Bigeye bass live?

The Bigeye bass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala and others

How big does the Bigeye bass get?

The Bigeye bass grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Bigeye bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye bass is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bigeye bass edible?

Yes, the Bigeye bass is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigeye bass sourced
Scientific name
Pronotogrammus eos
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Bigeye bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
155.0 verified
Max depth (m)
325.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pronotogrammus

More from the family Serranidae

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