Home · Serranidae · Yellowtail bass
Yellowtail bass (Bathyanthias mexicanus) — Serranidae

Yellowtail bass

Bathyanthias mexicanus
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Yellowtail bass (Bathyanthias mexicanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
70.0–135.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The yellowtail bass is a small bass of the family Serranidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, reddish to yellowish body with yellowish fins. It lives on rocky bottoms and deeper reefs of the continental shelf and upper slope, below normal diving depth. As a small predator it feeds on small crustaceans, small fishes and other small animals. Like many sea basses it is probably a protogynous hermaphrodite. Owing to its life at greater depth the species is rarely seen and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowtail bass?

The Yellowtail bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Yellowtail bass live?

The Yellowtail bass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Yellowtail bass get?

The Yellowtail bass grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Yellowtail bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowtail bass is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellowtail bass edible?

The Yellowtail bass is not usually 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
Mexicaanse diepbaars sourced
English name
Yellowtail bass verified
Scientific name
Bathyanthias mexicanus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Yellowtail bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
70.0 verified
Max depth (m)
135.0 verified
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
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

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 →