Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body slender, elongate; color brownish above, white below; darker brown vertical bars on sides interrupted by pale vertical lines; dark blotch on middle of dorsal fin base; brownish orange stripes on fins; anal fin with wide yellow stripe; dark diffused spot on opercle; mouth large; opercle with 3 flat spines (2 outer ones small); outer edge of opercle with a free flap; caudal fin with 3 pointed lobes in adults, truncate in juveniles; nape is completely scaled. |
Similar Species |
Vertical bars darker and more distinct in the bank sea bass, with dark blotches along midline of sides; also has an unscaled patch on nape. |
Habitat |
Gulf, sand or mud bottoms |
Maximum Size |
30 cm (12 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. X,11; A. III,7 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |