On Exhibit: Kelp Forest
Animal Facts
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Scientific Name
Paralabrax clathratus
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Animal Type
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Diet
small fishes, squid, crustaceans
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Size
to 28.5 inches (72 cm)
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Relatives
sea bass, groupers; Family: Serranidae
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Habitat
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Range
Pacific coast, Oregon to Baja California
Natural History
Usually loners, kelp bass join together to prey on small schooling fishes. They attack the school from all angles and may leap out of the water in hot pursuit.
Even though they're called kelp bass, these fish don't require kelp. They'll congregate around any type of structure, like shipwrecks, rocks, pipes and pilings.
Conservation
Kelp bass are a popular recreational fishery species in Southern California.
Cool Facts
Larval kelp bass drift along as plankton and settle on blades of giant kelp. The kelp acts as giant sieves, straining larvae out of the water.
The ear bones (otoliths) of kelp bass are occasionally found in Indian middens (refuse piles).
