Barred Sand Bass, Sand Bass
Cabrilla de Arena, Cabrilla de Roca
(Paralabrax nebulifer)

Barred Sand Bass, Paralabrax nebulifer: The Barred Sand Bass has an overall greenish-gray coloration that is lighter ventrally with dusky bars on the sides.

The Barred Sand Bass has a slender body with a pointed head covered with small gold-brown spots. Keys to identification of the Barred Sand Bass include the third dorsal spine being the longest (2.5 times longer than the second and longer than the fourth), the dusky bars on the sides, rounded pectoral fins, and a square caudal fin.

This fish species reaches a maximum of 25.5 inches and 8 pounds and is found at the sand-rocky reef interface up to 600 feet deep (but most commonly between 10 and 120 feet) in the water column.

It is similar to the Kelp Bass, Paralabrax clathratus (third and fourth dorsal spines of equal length), the Parrot Rock Bass, Paralabrax loro (head covered with large orange spots and undulating lines), and the Spotted Sand Bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus (body covered with small black spots).

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

The Barred Sand Bass ranges from Santa Cruz, California, to Magdalena Bay along the Pacific coast of Mexico. The Barred Sand Bass is a major component of the Southern California and northern Baja sportfishing industries. It has been banned as a commercial fish species in California.

This is one of a group of sea basses and groupers comprising the Serranidae Family, which are known in Mexico as cabrillas and meros.

Barred Sand Bass fish picture 1

Barred Sand Bass, Paralabrax nebulifer: Donated to Mexfish.com during fishing by the Mexican commercial pangueros of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, December 2007. Size, 12 inches. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.

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