Leather bass (Dermatolepis dermatolepis)

Scientific name: Dermatolepis dermatolepis Boulenger, 1895

The Leather bass (Dermatolepis dermatolepis) is a marine fish of the family Serranidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, southern California, USA to Peru, including Revillagigedo and Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, Clipperton Island.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Dermatolepis dermatolepis
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Depth range: 21–40 m (69–131 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 21 - 40 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to Peru, including Revillagigedo and Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, Clipperton Island.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026