Group 3 - SEA BASSES AND GROUPERS

Not highly specialized, all sea basses and groupers belong to one family (Serranidae) which is characterized by three opercular spines, three anal spines, one spine and five soft rays in the pelvic fin, and a continuous lateral line. Many species, perhaps most, are hermaphroditic (individuals may be both sexes). Most species begin life as females and eventually become males but the belted sandfish (Serranus subligarius) is functionally both male and female at the same time.

Family Serranidae (sea basses)

ROCK SEA BASS Centropristis philadelphica

The rays of the caudal fin end in three points, the dorsal point often filamentous; indistinct dark vertical bars on a lighter background; belly light; head markings blue and orange; yellowish band on the caudal fin. Similar to the black sea bass (C. striata) it is not nearly as abundant as the black sea bass at Gray's Reef. North Carolina to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. 8 in.


BLACK SEA BASS, BLACKFISH Centropristis striata

Generally darker in color than the other basses, adults and juveniles may have a dark spot at the base of the last dorsal spines. A year-round resident, this is the most abundant predator at Gray's Reef. The bank sea bass (C. ocyurus) occurs at Gray's Reef in small numbers and is distinguished by distinct rows of evenly spaced blotches often fused into seven dark bars on its sides and an olivaceous head and anterior portion of the body with blue and yellow stripes and spots. Maine to the west coast of Florida. 10-15 in.


SAND PERCH Diplectrum formosum

Body small and slender, blackish bars with alternating blue and orange stripes, two groups of spines at the margin of the preoperculum of the gill cover. Common on the sand near reef ledges at Gray's Reef. Like some of the porgies, this small bass will approach divers closely in search of invertebrate prey in sand which has been disturbed. North Carolina to Uruguay. 7-10 in.


GAG, GAG GROUPER Mycteroperca microlepis

Body color gray with small dark irregular blotches and dark fins with whitish edges. This is the most common of the large grouper-type sea basses at Gray's Reef. Aggregations of large adults (40 individuals from 27-30 in.) are occasionally seen in the vicinity at reef outcrops and under ledges at Gray's Reef. They apparently move from reef to reef in search of prey since their abundance on a particular reef can vary greatly from week to week. Juveniles (2-3 in.) are occasionally seen in rubble areas and larger individuals (12-15 in.) near larger crevices. Massachusetts to Brazil. 29 in.


SCAMP, SAMP GROUPER Mycteroperca phenax

Similar to the gag (M. microlepis), it has a slightly sharper snout, incised (frayed or broom-like) caudal fin and small brown spots rather than blotches on a tan background. Unlike the gag at Gray's Reef, the scamp is usually seen individually or in small groups rather than in large aggregations. Massachusetts to Venezuela. 27 in.


BELTED SANDFISH Serranus subligarius

Body small, distinct white belly saddle, a large black spot covering the first part of the soft dorsal fin and back, faint bars on the sides of the body. This diminutive bass is a common resident of Gray's Reef and offshore reefs where it normally sits or swims among the sponges and soft corals of reef outcrops. Many sea basses are known to change sex during their life (usually female to male) but this one is a synchronous hermaphrodite (both male and female at the same time). Individuals are capable of self-fertilization but cross-fertilization is the usual mode of reproduction (Hastings and Bortone 1980). The larger individual of a pair spawns preferentially as the female. The tattler (S. phoebe) which has a bold bar and stripe occurs in deeper water further offshore. North Carolina to Mexico. 3-4 in.