Parrot Sand Bass, Parrot Rock Bass
Cabrilla Cachete Amarillo, Lora
(Paralabrax loro)

Parrot Sand Bass, Paralabrax loro: The Parrot Sand Bass is a very rare member of a group of sea basses and groupers comprising the Serranidae Family, which are known in Mexico as cabrillas and meros.

The Parrot Sand Bass has a head that is covered with large orange spots and undulating lines. The body of the Parrot Sand Bass is covered with numerous brown spots and there are seven dark bars on the sides of the body.

A key to identification is that the third dorsal spine is greatly elevated and about three times longer than the second and only slightly longer than the fourth (as pictured below).

This fish species has dark spotted fins with the exception that the pectoral fins are yellow and without spots. The caudal fin is square.

The Parrot Sand Bass reaches a maximum of 24 inches and is found at the sand-rocky reef interface up to 200 feet deep in the water column.

The Parrot Sand Bass is similar to the Barred Sand Bass, Paralabrax nebulifer (third dorsal spine longer than fourth), the Kelp Bass, Paralabrax clathratus (third and fourth dorsal spines of equal length), and the Spotted Sand Bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus (body covered with small black spots).

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

In Mexican fishing waters the Parrot Sand Bass has a limited range, only being found along the coast of the mainland from the extreme northern coast of the Sea of Cortez south to Guatemala.

Parrot Sand Bass fish picture

Parrot Sand Bass fish picture

Parrot Sand Bass fish picture

Parrot Sand Bass, Paralabrax loro: Caught during a fishing trip at Mazatlan with Flota Bibi Fleet. Locally called "lora" at Mazatlan. Photos courtesy of Tadeo Hernandez. Species identification courtesy of John Snow.

Parrot Sand Bass Photo 1

Parrot Sand Bass, Paralabrax loro: Caught during fishing by Mike Auditore's boat El Gato Blanco in the northern Sea of Cortez near Rocky Point, Sonora , in 63-degree water, March 2008. Photo courtesy of Mike Auditore. Description courtesy of John Snow.

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