The spotted sand bass is a stocky serranid found in coastal waters from California to Central America, typically in sandy or rocky shallows down to around 60 metres. Mottled brown and grey colouration with darker bands and spots provides effective camouflage against the seafloor. These ambush predators lurk near structure or sand patches, darting out to snap up small fish and crustaceans. They reach roughly 40 centimetres, are quick to bite baited hooks or small lures, and are popular with both recreational and commercial fishers.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Teleostei
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Serranidae
- Genus
- Paralabrax