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Twinspot bass (Serranus flaviventris) — Serranidae

Twinspot bass

Serranus flaviventris
Family: Serranidae

The Twinspot bass (Serranus flaviventris) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–402.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Twinspot bass is a small sea bass (Serranidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the southwest Atlantic. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate body with brown saddles or stripes and a large mouth. As a bottom-oriented fish it darts out from cover at small crustaceans and small fish. Remarkably it is hermaphroditic and a single individual can produce both eggs and sperm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twinspot bass?

The Twinspot bass has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Twinspot bass live?

The Twinspot bass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico and others

How big does the Twinspot bass get?

The Twinspot bass grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Twinspot bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Twinspot 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 Twinspot bass edible?

Yes, the Twinspot bass is commonly eaten.

More photos

Twinspot bass (Serranus flaviventris) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Enzo Pinto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twinspot bass (Serranus flaviventris) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel PINELLI, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twinspot bass (Serranus flaviventris) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel PINELLI, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twinspot bass (Serranus flaviventris) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Twinspot bass sourced
Scientific name
Serranus flaviventris
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Twinspot bass; Two-spot bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
402.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Serranus

More from the family Serranidae

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