Rock Sea Bass

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Centropristis philadelphica

Description: color olive-brown or bronze, with dark blotches forming vertical bars; dark black blotch on middle of dorsal fin base; tip of lower jaw purplish; bright blue and orange stripes and markings on head and fins; fully scaled nape; tail tri-lobed in adults.

Similar Fish: bank sea bass C. ocyurus ; other Centropristis .

Where found: OFFSHORE; differs from other sea basses in that it is often found on sandy or muddy bottoms.

Size: small species rarely more than 10 inches.

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: spawns January through March; young adults are predominently female, transforming into males as they grow older; maximum size about 10 inches.

*The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.