Scientific Name
Paralabrax clathratus

Common Name
Kelp bass

Biology
Usually found in or near kelp beds, shallow water and to about 50 m but mostly from 2.4-21m . Found throughout water column. Large specimens usually occur in deeper water. Juveniles feed on benthic invertebrates (especially crustaceans); adults feed on fishes and cephalopods (Ref.9342). Both juveniles and adults may feed on plankton when abundant (Ref.9342). Pelagic spawners (Ref. 56049). Also caught with troll lines (Ref. 9342). Excellent food fish and an important game fish (Ref. 9342).

Classification

Classified By

Girard, 1854

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets (Serranidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Columbia River in Washington, USA to southern Baja California, Mexico.

Range

48°N - 23°N

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic

Trophic Level

3.88 s.e. 0.61 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

72.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5010 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (67 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.10; tm=2.5; tmax=34)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)