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Longtail bass (Hemanthias leptus) — Serranidae

Longtail bass

Hemanthias leptus
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Longtail bass (Hemanthias leptus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–300.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The longtail bass is a sea bass (Serranidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate, pink to reddish body with yellowish tints and elongated fin rays, including a long upper tail lobe, to which the name refers. It lives on hard bottoms of deeper reefs and the continental slope. It feeds on zooplankton and small fishes that it catches above the bottom in the water column. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longtail bass?

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

Where does the Longtail bass live?

The Longtail bass lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Longtail bass get?

The Longtail bass grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Longtail bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Longtail bass is harmless to humans.

Is the Longtail bass edible?

Yes, the Longtail bass is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langstaart-baars sourced
English name
Longtail bass verified
Scientific name
Hemanthias leptus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Longtail bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
300.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Hemanthias

More from the family Serranidae

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