Serranus tortugarum Longley, 1935
Chalk bass
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 12 - 396 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: southern Florida (USA), Bahamas, Honduras and Virgin Islands; probably widespread in Caribbean reef areas. Including Antilles (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12
Biology:  Found over rubble, silty or sandy bottoms (Ref. 9710). Often in small groups hovering over a patch of coral rubble or an old conch shell (Ref. 13442). Feeds on plankton (Ref. 9710). Synchronously hermaphroditic. Difficult to approach (Ref. 9710).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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