THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

138 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
the suction created when the mouth is opened
rapidly. Capable of only brief bursts rather
than sustained speeds, the sea bass ambushes
mid-water fishes from cover in rocks or kelp.
Reproduction and Development: Adults not
reproductively active until about 12 years old.
Single annual spawn. Eggs released into the
plankton.
Mortality/Longevity: Very young are prey to
a variety of marine mammals and other fishes.
Mature individuals are preyed upon only by
large sharks and humans. Life span: live to at
least 100 years.
Conservation Status: IUCN Red Listed:
Critically Endangered. Once a favorite of
commercial and sport fisheries as well as
spear fishers, giant sea basses, which are
found in all-too-accessible nearshore habitats,
were seriously overharvested. Protections
in California went into effect in 1982, but
the sea bass has remained scarce along the
California coast, and was classified as critically
endangered by the IUCN in 1996. Banning the
use of inshore gill nets has probably reduced
incidental catch, but because of the species’
slow growth and reproduction rate, the
California population, while showing signs
of recovery, is still well below historic norms.
Remarks: “Bocalo,” the Academy’s giant sea
bass, is the largest fish by weight in the Steinhart
Aquarium. In September 2008, it weighed 75
kg (165 lbs) and was 1.2 m (4 ft) in length. As
a truly giant sea bass, Bocalo has a way to go.
The largest sea bass caught in California waters
weighed 563.4 pounds (255 kg), and others have
reached lengths of almost 7.5 feet (2.3 m). But
then Bocalo is still young, probably about 28.
Check the scales in 50 years!
Indigo Hamlet
Hypoplectrus indigo (Serranidae)
Sea Basses: Groupers, and Fairy Basslets
Distribution: Western Central Atlantic and
Caribbean.
Habitat: Depth 3-45 m. Solitary over coral reefs
near bottom.
Appearance: Length to 14 cm. About five deep
blue bars of uneven width; second bar, below
dorsal fin, much wider than others. Bright
blue ventral fins, pectoral fins with alternating
white bars.
Diet: Diurnal predator on small fishes and
invertebrates.
Reproduction and Development: Simultaneous
hermaphrodite. Form pairs at dusk to spawn.
Pacific Candy Basslet
Liopropoma swalesi (Serranidae)
Sea Basses: Groupers and Fairy Basslets
Distribution: Western Pacific.
Habitat: Caves, crevices, and rubble of coral
reefs to depths of 25 m. Rarely seen in open
water.
Appearance: White, covered with brilliant
orange stripes. The second dorsal and anal fins
have white-edged black eyespots.
Diet: Crustaceans and small fishes.
Reproduction and Development: Little is
known about the life history of members of this
genus because of their secretive nature.
Remarks: The genus is among the smallest of
the serranid family,.
Kelp Bass
Paralabrax clathratus (Serranidae)
Sea Basses: Groupers and Fairy Basslets
Distribution: Eastern Pacific coast from
southern Washington to southern Baja
California. Most abundant south of Pt.
Conception.
Habitat: Most often found near or in kelp
beds or structures of any kind; shallow water
usually from about 2.5 to 20 m.
Appearance: Brown to olive on back and sides
with pale spots along sides.
Diet: Juveniles: plankton and small invertebrates,
especially crustaceans. Adults: small
fishes, octopuses, squid, crabs, shrimps, and
algae. Known to form groups to prey on schooling
fishes.
Reproduction and Development: Pelagic
spawners. Spawning peaks during summer.
Eggs hatch into larvae in 1–2 days; larvae
metamorphose into juveniles in about a month.
Max. length: 70 cm.
Mortality/Longevity: Life span: to at least 33
years.
Remarks: The kelp bass is a fine food fish, and
among the most important recreational game
fishes in southern California.
Kelp bass were eaten by Native Americans