Fish Identification Photos: Goldspotted Bass, Goldspotted Sandbass, Paralabrax auroguttatus: The Goldspotted Bass is characterized by numerous golden-orange and brown spots covering its body that are especially prominent between the eyes, on the upper jaw, and cheek. The Goldspotted Bass has three white lines on its upper body the largest of which is the middle one that closely follows the lateral line and yellow pectoral fins. The third dorsal spine is three times longer than the second. Inside the gill covers is orange.

The Goldspotted Bass is easily identified, due to its colorful appearance, but it might possibly be confused with a series of sea basses including: the Kelp Bass, Paralabrax clathratus (pale yellow spots and third and forth dorsal spine of equal length that are less than twice the length of the second dorsal spine); the Parrot Rock Bass, Paralabrax loro (no spots on pectoral fins, seven wide bars vertically on sides); the Leopard Grouper, Mycteroperca rosacea (no spots on head, no longitudinal lines); and the Spotted Bay Bass or Spotted Sandbass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus (black spots, dark line extending through eye to tail and six to seven dark vertical bars on lower sides). The Goldspotted Bass reaches a length of 28 inches and about 5 pounds in weight, and is found between 100 feet and 500 feet deep in the water column in rocky structure.

The Goldspotted Bass is one of the Serrandae or Sea Bass and Grouper Family. In general, they all have spiny rays, are very blah in their overall appearances, and are difficult to distinguish. Most have large mouths, are bottom dwellers, and range in size from less than a pound to well over 1,000 pounds. They are voracious predators feeding on fishes and crustaceans. Globally, 449 species have been identified of which 38 live in the Sea of Cortez. Twenty-nine of these are found in and around rocky structure.

In Mexico, the Goldspotted Bass is found along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula and throughout the Sea of Cortez, but is absent from the coast of the mainland and from around the oceanic islands. The Goldspotted Bass is quite commonly caught on the bottom, and is considered to be an excellent food fish.

Goldspotted Bass, Goldspotted Sandbass, Paralabrax auroguttatus: Caught north of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, about 250 feet deep. Description and photo by Gene Kira.