Name: Kelp bass
Scientific Name: Paralabrax clathratus (Girard, 1854)
Family: Serranidae
Group: Bony fish
Class: Fish
Size: 51-100 cm.
The kelp bass is so called because it is commonly found in kelp forests. In fact, this fish is in the habit of living close to rocks, pipes, oilrigs, and kelp. In other words it does not seem to select any kind of substrate. What is perhaps most interesting, and poses questions for scientists, is that this behaviour is typical of kelp itself! Sexual maturity in the kelp bass is reached at 2-3 years of age and the fish may live for at least 33 years.
Photo by:
Abílio Leitão
Oceanário Location
Temperate Pacific
