Black Sea Bass

Centropristis striata

Black Sea Bass
Photo credit: Robert Aguilar, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on Flickr

Status

Endangered

Physical 

Black Sea Bass adults are blue to gray black, and can be dark brown with various blotches. Laterally, narrow stripes are present. Approximate length and weight is 2 feet and 7 lbs. Sea Bass juveniles are light to dark brown with blue to white center scales, forming vague lateral stripes.

Image by Robert Aguilar, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on Flickr

Habitat

 C. striata ranges from Maine to northeast Florida and the east Gulf of Mexico. They are considered temperate fish and live near rock jetties, pilings, wrecks, and on rocky bottoms in shallow areas.  Juveniles can be found in the higher level slainity areas of estuaries.

Feeding 

Black Sea Bass feed on crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, mussels, and razor clams and whatever else is available making them opportunistic predators.

Black Sea Bass
Photo credit: Robert Aguilar, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on Flickr