Kelp bass

ON EXHIBIT

At the Aquarium

Natural History

Usually loners, kelp bass join together to prey on small schooling fishes. They attack the school from all angles and may leap out of the water in hot pursuit.

Even though they’re called kelp bass, these fish don’t require kelp. They’ll congregrate around any type of structure, like shipwrecks, rocks, pipes and pilings.

Conservation

Kelp bass are a popular recreational fishery species in Southern California.

Cool Facts

Larval kelp bass drift along as plankton and settle on blades of giant kelp. The kelp acts as giant sieves, straining larvae out of the water.
The ear bones (otoliths) of kelp bass are occasionally found in Indian middens (refuse piles).

Animal Facts

ON EXHIBIT
Scientific Name:
Paralabrax clathratus
Habitat:
Kelp Forest
Animal Type:
Fishes
Diet:
small fishes, squid, crustaceans
Size:
to 28.5 inches (72 cm)
Range:
Pacific coast, Oregon to Baja California
Relatives:
sea bass, groupers; Family: Serranidae

Celebrating 25 Years of Ocean Conservation