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 Department of Environmental Protection's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.
