Harlequin bass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harlequin bass |
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Holocentrus tigrinus Bloch, 1790 |
The harlequin bass, also known by its scientific name Serranus tigrinus, is a cool fish that lives in the ocean. It's a type of ray-finned fish and belongs to the sea bass family. You can find these fish swimming in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes, they are also kept in aquariums.
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What Does the Harlequin Bass Look Like?
The harlequin bass has a body that is a bit flat on the sides and long. Its snout, which is like its nose, is pointed. It has three clear spines on its gill cover, which helps protect its gills.
Its fins are also interesting! The fin on its back, called the dorsal fin, has 10 strong spines and 12 soft rays. The fin on its belly, the anal fin, has 3 spines and 7 soft rays. Its tail fin is slightly curved inwards.
This fish has a unique look with a black and white pattern on its upper body. Its lower body is yellow and black. A black stripe goes from its snout, right through its eye. Its chin and throat have big black spots on a white background. It also has 8 vertical black bars on its body, like stripes. The tail fin has a black bar at its base and is covered in black spots. The fins on its back and belly also have lines of black spots. The harlequin bass can grow up to about 29 centimeters (11 inches) long.
Where Do Harlequin Bass Live?
The harlequin bass lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. You can find them all over the Caribbean Sea. This includes places from southern Florida down to Trinidad and Tobago. They also live along the coast from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico to Venezuela.
Harlequin Bass Habitat and Life
You usually see harlequin bass swimming alone or in pairs. They like to hang out in rocky areas of coral reefs. They can be found in water that is from 0 to 40 meters (0 to 130 feet) deep.
These fish are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. They hunt by quickly sucking their prey into their large mouths. Their favorite meal is usually small crustaceans, like tiny crabs or shrimp. They swallow their food whole!
A cool fact about the harlequin bass is that it's a synchronous hermaphrodite. This means that each fish has both male and female reproductive parts at the same time. They can act as either a male or a female when they reproduce. They can even fertilize their own eggs!
History of the Harlequin Bass
The harlequin bass was first officially described in 1790. It was named Holocentrus tigrinus by a German doctor and naturalist named Marcus Elieser Bloch. He lived from 1723 to 1799. He mistakenly thought it came from the "Indian Ocean."
Harlequin Bass and People
Because of its interesting colors and patterns, the harlequin bass is sometimes kept in home aquariums.
