Harlequin bass
Serranus tigrinus
Also known as Harlequin Basslet, Tiger Bass, Harlequin Serranus
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 5.1 in
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Serranidae
- Origin
- Western Atlantic from Florida and Bermuda through the Caribbean, over seagrass, rubble and coral reefs.
Overview
The harlequin bass is a Caribbean seabass for a saltwater tank with rockwork. It is exceptionally tough and a good choice for beginners to marine fish.
Did you know
The harlequin bass is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, so each fish carries both male and female tissue at once.
Caring for the harlequin bass
A harlequin bass needs a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), with rockwork and perching spots. Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.
It eats almost any meaty food. Offer mysis, chopped seafood and marine carnivore preparations once or twice a day.
The harlequin bass is mostly peaceful and leaves corals alone, so it is reef safe. It will still eat ornamental shrimp and fish small enough to swallow. Keep one per tank, and house it only with fish too large to be prey.
Two harlequin bass can pair off and take turns playing male and female when they spawn. Breeding them is hard.
Good to know
Serranus tigrinus is a seabass in the family Serranidae, patterned in black and yellow bars. Rare wild fish can grow larger than the ones kept in aquariums.
In the wild
The harlequin bass lives in the western Atlantic, from Florida and Bermuda through the Caribbean. It is found over seagrass, rubble and coral reefs, and along reef edges. It perches on the bottom and darts out to grab passing prey, rather than cruising open water. Adults hunt small crustaceans and fish.
Common questions
What size tank does a harlequin bass need?
A harlequin bass needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a harlequin bass need?
A harlequin bass is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a harlequin bass eat?
A harlequin bass eats almost any meaty food, such as mysis, chopped seafood and marine carnivore preparations. Feed it once or twice a day.
How big does a harlequin bass get?
An adult harlequin bass reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
How does a harlequin bass breed?
Harlequin bass spawn in pairs, with the two fish taking turns as male and female. Breeding them is hard.
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