Home · Serranidae · Brick seabass
Brick seabass (Acanthistius pictus) — Serranidae

Brick seabass

Acanthistius pictus
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brick seabass (Acanthistius pictus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The painted wirrah is a sea bass (Serranidae) from the southeastern Pacific off the coast of South America. The species has a stocky, brownish body with a mottled pattern of spots and lines. It is a bottom-dweller of rocky coastal reefs, where it hides among stones and crevices. As an ambush hunter it feeds on crustaceans and small fishes. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brick seabass?

The Brick seabass has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brick seabass live?

The Brick seabass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Brick seabass get?

The Brick seabass grows to a maximum of about 47 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Brick seabass dangerous to humans?

No, the Brick seabass is harmless to humans.

Is the Brick seabass edible?

Yes, the Brick seabass is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geschilderde wirrah sourced
English name
Brick seabass verified
Scientific name
Acanthistius pictus
Family
Serranidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthistius

More from the family Serranidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →