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Goldspotted sand bass (Paralabrax auroguttatus) — Serranidae

Goldspotted sand bass

Paralabrax auroguttatus
Family: Serranidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Goldspotted sand bass (Paralabrax auroguttatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 71 cm.

Length
71 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–107.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The goldspotted sand bass is a sea bass (Serranidae) from the eastern Pacific, mainly the Gulf of California and the coast of Baja California. The species reaches about 71 cm, has a stocky, brownish body sprinkled with golden spots and a large mouth. It lives on rocky bottoms at depths of about 40 to 107 m and hunts small fishes and crustaceans. It is an important and prized game fish. Like other sand basses it is an ambush predator that engulfs its prey whole. The species is assessed by the IUCN as data deficient (DD).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goldspotted sand bass?

The Goldspotted sand bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Goldspotted sand bass live?

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

How big does the Goldspotted sand bass get?

The Goldspotted sand bass grows to a maximum of about 71 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Goldspotted sand bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Goldspotted sand bass is harmless to humans.

Is the Goldspotted sand bass edible?

Yes, the Goldspotted sand bass is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Goudgevlekte zandbaars sourced
English name
Goldspotted sand bass verified
Scientific name
Paralabrax auroguttatus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Goldspotted sand bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
71.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
40.0 verified
Max depth (m)
107.0 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
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Belangrijke sportvis; bevist met natuuraas of kunstaas boven rotsbodems. sourced
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 Paralabrax

More from the family Serranidae

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