Leather Bass (Juvenile)

Family: Sea Basses & Groupers (Serranidae)
Size: 5 – 15 cm (2 – 6 in) for juveniles | Adults reach up to 1 m (3.3 ft)
Depth: 3 – 40m (10 – 130ft)

Distribution: Eastern Pacific (Baja California to Ecuador, including the Galapagos and Malpelo).

Identification: A striking little fish that undergoes a massive transformation as it ages.

• Color Pattern: The juvenile (pictured) is incredibly distinct, featuring bold, contrasting black and white vertical stripes or bars across its entire body and fins.
• The Adult: If you are looking for the adult, throw this pattern out the window! Adults are large, thick, and typically pale grey or brown, covered in white mottling and small dark spots.

Behavior: A shy hider that uses the reef's defenses.

• Habitat: Because their striped pattern makes them stand out, the smallest juveniles often associate with long-spined sea urchins (Diadema). They use the deadly spines as a protective cage against larger predators.
• Hunting: As they grow and gain confidence, they start to venture out from the rocks to hunt small crustaceans, eventually becoming the large, apex predators of the reef.