Harlequin bass
📖 Overview
Most common in areas with rock or scattered coral. Solitary or in pairs. Adults feed mainly upon crustaceans . Synchronously hermaphroditic. The most common member of the genus . Monogamous and always in home-ranging pairs, that is, they do not defend an exclusive territory .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12. Snout long and pointed. Black stripes and bars forming irregular rectangles on body. Has unique pointed snout and distinct color pattern make it easy to identify .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Harlequin bass is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Displays facultative monogamy where males are constrained to mate with a single female due to resource limitation . Pelagic spawner .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 0 - 40 m . Tropical; 33°N - 7°N, 96°W - 58°W South America; throughout the Caribbean (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Harlequin bass is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 148 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Harlequin bass has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holocentrus tigrinus | Bloch | 1790 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Harlequin bass.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 36 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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