Skip to main content
Close

Harlequin Bass

Serranus tigrinus

Photo by joanbstanley
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

16.7584, -87.7748

Field Notes

Description:

These bass have long thin bodies with dark bars that run vertically down the body producing the "harlequin" pattern that gives them their name. The top half is blue and the bottom half is a shade of cream or light yellow. These fish are not as big as average bass, only getting to be between 3 and 5 inches in length. Their heads are more pointed than other members of the family.

Habitat:

Moho Cay, Belize

Notes:

Harlequin bass are simultaneous hermaphrodites, which means that they can reproduce as males and females. Fishes in a pair undergo “egg-trading” in which they reproduce as both males and females in separate spawning events. Spawning occurs in the water column just before sunset. After the eggs hatch the larvae enter the pelagic stage before they settle on the reef.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon