Fish · GBIF taxon 2387738
Barred Sand Bass
Paralabrax nebuliferAlso known as Sand Bass, Ground Bass, Grumbler
Barred sand bass patrol shallow sandy flats, eelgrass beds, and the edges of rocky reefs along the Pacific coast of California and Baja California. During summer breeding aggregations, thousands of adults gather over open sand plains to spawn in massive open-water columns. As sit-and-wait ambush hunters, their mottled greyish-brown vertical bars provide flawless camouflage against sandy substrate and drift kelp.
MarineCoastalPredatory
Licensed reference(c) TonyT, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Northern Anchovy
- Market Squid
- Pacific Rock Crab
Predators
- California Sea Lion
- Harbor Seal
- Broadnose Sevengill Shark
ThreatsRecreational overharvest during spawning aggregations and coastal pollution
HabitatsSandy bottoms, eelgrass beds, coastal bays, and low-relief reefs
Life spanUp to 24 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPerciformes
- FamilySerranidae
- GenusParalabrax
- SpeciesParalabrax nebulifer
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Diving Etiquette: Approach slowly along the seabed, as fast movements trigger an immediate escape dart.
- Angling Awareness: Adhere strictly to seasonal size and bag limits to protect vulnerable spawning stocks.
Prey no rights reserved · cc0
Predator (c) Liam Steele, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Liam Steele · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Brian Gratwicke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Marcus Bullock, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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