All fish / Serranidae

Harlequin Bass

Serranus tigrinus

Also known as harlequin seabass, harlequin sea bass, tiger serranus, tiger bass

The harlequin bass is a small, pointy-snouted sea bass with a white body broken up by bold black bars and spots, often with yellowish tones on the belly and fins. It is hardy, full of character and spends its time perched on rocks watching its surroundings, which makes it a popular choice for fish-only and robust reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a male and female pair in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, krill, chopped seafood, small shrimp and meaty frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Florida, Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to northern South America

Breeding

It is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, so any two adults can in principle form a pair and spawn pelagic eggs. Spawning in home aquariums is rare, and rearing the tiny planktonic larvae is very difficult.

Good to know

It will eat small fish and ornamental shrimps that fit in its mouth, so choose tankmates of similar or larger size. Two may fight in a small tank.