Kelp Bass

Kelp bass
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Serranidae
Genus:	Paralabrax
Species:	P. clathratus
Binomial name
Paralabrax clathratus (Girard, 1854)
Synonyms
Labrax clathratus

The kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus), sometimes referred to as the western fish (leading to easy confusion with the freshwater fishes from the genus Pomoxis), is a species of marine fish found in the eastern North Pacific Ocean from Baja California, Mexico, to Washington, USA^[1] (although rare in the northernmost part of its range).^[2] 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.^[3] It prefers relatively shallow water, but may occur as deep as 165 ft (50 m).^[1]

It can reach a length of 29 ¹⁄₂ inches (75 cm), and, being a slow grower, live for as long as 34 years.^[1] 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.^[2] Commercial fishing for this species has been illegal since the 1950s.^[3] Current regulations in California allow only 14-inch or longer kelp bass to be kept by recreational fishermen.

It feeds on small fishes, squid, crustaceans, and, when abundant, plankton.^[1] During the warmer months (May to September in California),^[1] kelp bass form spawning groups in deeper water.^[4] After one to two days, the pelagic eggs hatch into larvae, which metamorph into juveniles after about a month. The juveniles settle among blades of kelp. Kelp bass have been known to bite at humans; a bite can break the skin, but does not usually cause severe puncture wounds. This may be more frequent when the fish are spawning.^[3]

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 color of the stripes lining the fish's side.

References