Kelp Bass

Taxobox
name = Kelp Bass

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image_width = 250px
image_caption =
status =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Serranidae
genus = "Paralabrax"
species = "P. clathratus"
binomial = "Paralabrax clathratus"
binomial_authority = (Girard, 1854)
synonyms = "Labrax clathratus"

The Kelp Bass ("Paralabrax clathratus"), sometimes referred to as the Calico Bass (leading to easy confusion with the freshwater fishes from the genus "Pomoxis"), is a species of marine fish found in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean from Baja California, Mexico, to Washington, USA [http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=3335 "Kelp bass: Paralabrax clathratus (Girard, 1854), Fish Base] ] (although rare in the northernmost part of its range). [http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/response/kelpbass.pdf Kelp Bass (PDF)] - California Department of Fish & Game. Accessed 28 February - 2008.] As suggested by its common name, it is typically associated with kelp beds, but may also be found in rocky areas or near hard structures. [http://www.calicobasstag.org/about.html About Calico Bass] - Calisco Bass Tagging Project. Accessed 28 February - 2008.] It prefers relatively shallow water, but may occur as deep as 165 ft (50 m).

It can reach a length of 28 1/2 inches (72 cm), and, being a slow grower, live for as much as 34 years. It is considered an excellent food fish, and is a popular recreational fishery species in Southern California. While the population is believed to be stable, large individuals are relatively rare due to fishing pressure. Commercial fishing for this species has been illegal since the 1950s.

It feeds on small fishes, squid, crustaceans, and, when abundant, plankton. During the warmer months (May to August in California), Kelp Basses form spawning groups in deeper water. [http://www.mdranglers.com/kelpbass.html Kelp Bass (a.k.a. Calico Bass)] - Dr. Larry G. Allen. mdranglers. Accessed 28 February - 2008.] After 1-2 days, the pelagic eggs hatch into larvae, which metamorph into juveniles after approximately a month. The juveniles settle among blades of kelp.

Etymology

"Paralabrax" comes for two Greek words which mean "near Labrax". "Labrax" is the name of the European seabass ("Dicentrarchus labrax"). "Clathratus" is also Greek, and refers to the blotchy markings on the fish's sides.

References