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Last updated:

8/05/2004

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SPECIES SERVER |  ALGAE | SPONGES | BRYOZOANS | ANEMONES | SEA FANS |  NUDIBRANCHS | LIMPETS | CHITON | CLAMS | MUSCLES | SCALLOPS | OCTOPI | FEATHER WORMS | SHRIMP | LOBSTER | CRABS | BARNACLES | SEA STARS | SEA URCHINS | SEA CUCUMBER | SHRIMP | SEA SQUIRTS | SHARKS  | SKATES | RAYS | BONEY FISH |

FAMILY SERRANIDAE

• CALICO BASS

 Common Name:  Calico Bass

 Genus and Species:   Paralabrax clathratus

Distinctive Features: These fish have a white underside, and a brown and white mottled body.  Juveniles will have yellow pectoral fins like those of the specimen pictured.  Adult calico bass typically have dark brown pectoral fins and much darker brown coloring.

Distribution: These fish can be found throughout southern and central California.

Behavior:  When it comes to finding food these fish will wait in the kelp and ambush their prey when younger.  Adults (also called toads by fisherman when they get very large) will usually wait behind a rock in the kelp forest, either positioning itself in a crevice or laying down on a rock in ambush.  In midwater or hiding in wait these fish are usually wary of divers.  This is in stark contrast to calicos found in marine reserves which have become accustomed to divers.

Habitat:  These fish can be found at the top of the kelp canopy all the way down to the bottom of the sea floor to depths of up to 60 feet.  As discussed above these fish are quite shy in nature but in reserves can by quite unafraid if not almost aggressive.

Fun Facts:

Permits and Regulations: 

• BARRED SAND BASS

 Common Name:  Barred Sand Bass

 Genus and Species:   Paralabrax nebulifer

Distinctive Features:  These bass have a very high tip of their dorsal fin, are greyish in color with darker grey strips along their body, and one dark spot in the midsection of the fish on both sides.

Behavior:  These fish remain on the bottom or within close proximity to it.  Many sand bass will remain stationary when approached by divers.  Other sand bass will follow divers around on their dive, all the while remaining within 3 feet of the bottom.  Depending upon the location these fish can be found as solitary fish, or in healthier environments these fish can be found in large numbers waiting in ambush on rocky/sandy bottoms.

Habitat:  These fish can be found at the top of the kelp canopy all the way down to the bottom of the sea floor to depths of up to 60 feet.  As discussed above these fish are quite shy in nature but in reserves can by quite unafraid if not almost aggressive.

Fun Facts:

Garuanteed to see:   This fish is a dominant fish at Nicholas Canyon Beach where they may be found in schools with as many as 50 to 60 fish.  All fish are of decent size with an occasional specimen well over legal size.

Permits and Regulations: 

Copyrighted by Ryan Jaeger & Matthew J. Wahlrab 2002 - 2004