The Sea Basses and Groupers (Serranidae): The Serranidae Family is very large in size and includes Bacalasos, Basslets, Cabrillas, Camolillos, Coneys, Grasbys, Groupers, Hamlets, Hinds, Leather Basses, Reef Basses, Sand Perches, Sea Basses, Serranos, Soapfishes, Splittail Bases and Threadfin Basses.

There are approximately 450 global members of this family from 68 genera of which species from 14 genera are found in Mexican waters. Of these 38 individual members live in the Sea of Cortez. They range in size from the colossal (approaching 9-feet in length and 900 pounds) to tiny fishes of less than 2 inches in length.

All species have “bass-like appearances” and due to the considerable diversity and habits amongst the individual members it is difficult to provide detailed family characteristics. However, they all have compressed robust bodies, one dorsal fin, large mouths with more than one row of teeth with the rear bone of the upper jaw being fully exposed on the cheek when the mouth is closed, and a lateral line that extends into the tail base.

The gill covers are characteristic being serrated and have three spines. Their bodies are covered with small rough scales. Most of the members of this family are bottom dwellers and found in and around rocky reef structures; they are voracious predators feeding on fishes and crustaceans. The larger members of the family are considered to be excellent food substance.

Some members of the Sea Bass and Grouper Family found in Mexican waters include: the Baqueta, Gulf Coney, or Rooster Hind, Epinephelus acanthistius; Barred Sand Bass, Paralabrax nebulifer; Barred Serrano, Serranus psittacinus; Bighead Sand Perch, Diplectrum euryplectrum; Bridled Sand Perch, Diplectrum rostrum; Broomtail Grouper, Mycteroperca xenarcha; Flag Cabrilla or Starry Grouper, Epinephelus labriformis; Calico Bass or Kelp Bass, Paralabrax clathratus; Damsel Bass, Hemanthias signifier; Gulf Grouper, Mycteroperca jordani; Goldspotted Bass or Goldspotted Sandbass, Paralabrax auroguttatus; Greater Sand Perch, Diplectrum maximum; High-Fin Sand Perch, Diplectrum lababum; Jewfish, Goliath Grouper or Itajara Grouper, Epinephelus itajara; Leopard Grouper, Golden Grouper, Mycteroperca rosacea; Mexican Sand Perch, Diplectrum macropoma; Northern Grouper, Epinephelus cifuentesi; Pacific Creole Fish, Paranthias colonus; Pacific Mutton Hamlet or Mutton Hamlet, Alphestes immaculatus; Pacific Sand Perch, Diplectrum pacificum; Panamic Graysby or Pacific Graysby, Cephalopholis panamensis; Peruvian Serrano, Serranus huascarii; Queenfish, Seriphus politus; Rainbow Basslet, Liopropoma fasciatum; Rivulated Mutton Hamlet or Many Spotted Mutton Hamlet, Alphestes multiguttatus; Rose Threadfin Bass or Splittail Bass, Hemanthias peruanus; Sawtail Grouper, Mycteroperca prionura; Spotted Bay Bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus; Spotted Cabrilla or Pinto Bass, Epinephelus analogus; Star Studded Grouper, Epinephelus niphobles; and Threadfin Bass or Speckled Bass, Pronotogrammus multifasciatus.