Harlequin Bass

Serranus tigrinus

Also known as Harlequin Basslet, Tiger Bass, Harlequin Serranus

SaltwaterFish

Harlequin Bass (Serranus tigrinus) — Cliff · CC BY 2.0

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
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Common
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Western Atlantic from Florida and Bermuda through the Caribbean, over seagrass, rubble and coral reefs.
Family: Serranidae

Overview

A 200 litre or larger tank with rockwork and perching spots suits it well at 23 to 27 C. It is very hardy and eats almost any meaty food, including mysis, chopped seafood and marine carnivore preparations offered once or twice a day. It leaves corals alone, so it is reef safe, but it will eat ornamental shrimp and fish small enough to swallow. Keep one per tank and pair it only with fish too large to be prey.

In the wild

The harlequin bass is a hardy Caribbean seabass patterned in black and yellow bars over rubble and reef edges. It perches on the bottom and darts out to grab passing prey. It is exceptionally tough and a good choice for beginners to marine fish. Adults hunt small crustaceans and fish.

Good to know

Serranus tigrinus commonly reaches around 10 to 13 cm in aquariums, though rare wild fish can grow larger. It is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, carrying both male and female tissue at once. The species perches and ambushes rather than cruising open water.