ROCK SEA BASS – Centropristis philadelphica
March 9th, 2006 by Gillwetter PressFamily Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Description: color olive-bronze, with dark blotches forming vertical bars; dark black blotch on middle of dorsalfin 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.
Remarks: spawns January through March; young adults are predominantly female, transforming into males as they grow older; maximum size about 10 inches.
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