Serranus tigrinus (Bloch, 1790)
Harlequin bass
Serranus tigrinus
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Max. size:  29 cm FL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda and southern Florida, USA to northern South America; throughout the Caribbean (Ref. 13442). Including Antilles (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12. Snout long and pointed. Black stripes and bars forming irregular rectangles on body. Has unique pointed snout and distinct color pattern make it easy to identify (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Most common in areas with rock or scattered coral. Solitary or in pairs. Feeds mainly upon crustaceans (Ref. 5521). Synchronously hermaphroditic. The most common member of the genus (Ref. 9710).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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