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Damsel bass (Hemanthias signifer) — Serranidae

Damsel bass

Hemanthias signifer
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Damsel bass (Hemanthias signifer) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
42 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
23.0–306.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific, along Central and South America.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The damsel bass is a fish of the family Serranidae from the eastern Pacific, along the coast of Central and South America. The species reaches about 42 cm and has a deep, pink to reddish body with yellow tones and elongated fin rays. It probably forms schools and lives near the bottom in deeper water, at depths of about 23 to over 300 m. The diet consists of zooplankton and small fishes. Like many serranids the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite. Where it is abundant it is of some commercial importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Damsel bass?

The Damsel bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Deep-water anthias with extended fin rays; protogynous hermaphrodite.

Where does the Damsel bass live?

The Damsel bass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific, along Central and South America.

How big does the Damsel bass get?

The Damsel bass grows to a maximum of about 42 cm. On average the species is around 22 cm.

Is the Damsel bass dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Damsel bass edible?

The Damsel bass is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Damsel bass verified
Scientific name
Hemanthias signifer
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Hookthroat bass; Splittail bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
42.0 verified
Average length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
23.0 verified
Max depth (m)
306.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific, along Central and South America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Deep-water anthias with extended fin rays; protogynous hermaphrodite. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Hemanthias

More from the family Serranidae

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