Diagnosis: Modal fin-ray counts of D-X,12 A-III,7 with 14 pectoral-fin rays indicate a subset of Serranus species. Shallow-water species with this modal fin-ray count comprise S. tigrinus, S. baldwini, and S. tortugarum (deep-water species comprise S. chionaraia and S. luciopercanus). (ML)
Analogues: Larval S. tigrinus can be separated from larval S. baldwini by having melanophores at the base of one or a few upper and lower caudal-fin segmented rays. The eye of larval S. tigrinus can be smaller than in its congeners, with more than one eye-width into the snout vs. less in the other species (note this difference disappears in juveniles). Larval S. tortugarum and S. tabacarius do not have the internal melanophores on the mid-body or under the last dorsal-fin spine and have melanophores on the proximal portions of the middle spinous-fin membranes (not the distal third).
Transitional S. tigrinus can be distinguished by having three head stripes extending rearward from the upper eye vs. two in S. baldwini and none in S. tortugarum and S. tabacarius (the latter two species also do not have the cheek stripe). The transitional melanophores forming on the body at the base of the fourth through sixth dorsal-fin spines consist of a single long patch, while in S. baldwini the melanophores split into two patches (usually under the base of the fourth and sixth, sparing the fifth). On S. tortugarum and S. tabacarius the melanophores concentrate on the proximal fin membranes, not initially forming patches on the adjacent body.
Description: Body thin and moderately wide with a round eye and a large terminal mouth. Pectoral and pelvic fins long, reaching just past the vent, dorsal-fin base long and anal-fin base short, caudal peduncle relatively wide and short. The third spinous-dorsal-fin membrane is greatly extended, up to 3 times the length of the next membrane. On the head there is a melanophore at the angle of the jaw. On the body, melanophores are mainly along the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle, typically two or three: the largest just after the last anal-fin element and one or two just before the procurrent caudal-fin rays (occasionally one or two more in between). Some larvae have a melanophore on the dorsal midline of the caudal peduncle just after the last dorsal-fin element. Two large deep internal melanophores are present, one in the mid-upper body below the mid-soft dorsal fin and one in the body just below the base of the last dorsal-fin spine (not always obvious in thick-bodied preserved larvae). Internal melanophores line the dorsal aspect of the swim bladder and posterior peritoneum. The fin membranes are well-marked, with the standard serranid heavy speckling on the pelvic-fin membranes and on the outer half of the pectoral-fin membranes. There are melanophores along the distal third of the spinous-dorsal-fin membranes and lining the tips of the upper and lower lobes of the caudal fin and at the tips of all of the anal fin-ray membranes. Some individuals may have them at the tips of some of the dorsal soft-fin membranes as well. There are also one or a few melanophores near the base of the third anal-fin spine and/or first soft ray. Notably there are melanophores at the base of one (or a few) of the mid-upper as well as mid-lower segmented caudal-fin rays.
Transitional larvae develop three stripes radiating back from the upper eye and an oblique stripe across the cheek. As the markings increase the upper two eye stripes merge and a reticulated pattern of patches and lines develops on the anterior upper body and near the base of the dorsal fin; notably the patch near the base of the fourth through sixth dorsal-fin spines is not divided into two spots. The larval melanophores rapidly fade away as the transitional surface markings progress rearward, a stripe forms from the eye to the tip of snout, and the iris develops a clock-face-like set of surface black patches.
Serranus tigrinus, the harlequin bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea bass from the subfamily Serraninae, which is a part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the groupers and the anthias. It can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean, and also in aquarium trades.
Serranus tigrinus has a laterally compressed elongate body with a pointed snout which is shorter than the diameter of the eye. It has 3 clearly visible spines on the gill cover, the middle spine being straight. The margins of the preopercle are regularly serrated but there are no spines at its angle. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 12 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 7 soft rays. The caudal fin is slightly concave.[3] This species has a black and white mottle pattern on its back and a yellow and black mottled pattern on the lower body.[4] A black strip runs from the snout through the eye, and the chin and throat have large black blotches on a white background. There are 8 vertical black bars, 2 on the nape and 6 on the body. The caudal fin has a black bar at its base and the membrane is marked with black spots. The dorsal fin has two lines of black spots along it while the base of the anal fin has a single line of black spots.[3] The maximum published total length is 29 centimetres (11 in).[2]
Serranus tigrinus is a species of the western Atlantic Ocean where it is found throughout the Caribbean from southern Florida to Trinidad and Tobago, including the mainland coast from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to Venezuela.[1]
Serranus tigrinus is normally encountered as individuals or in pairs in the rocky parts of reefs or where there is scattered coral.[5] It is found at depths of 0 to 40 metres (0 to 131 ft).[1] It is a carnivorous species, and hunts by drawing prey, usually small crustaceans, into its large mouth and swallowing it whole.[5] This species is a synchronous hermaphrodite, which means that they have both male and female reproductive organs and can take on a male or female role in spawning; self fertilisation is possible as well.[2]
Serranus tigrinus was first formally described in 1790 as Holocentrus tigrinus by the German physician and naturalist Marcus Elieser Bloch (1723–1799) with the type locality given in error as the "Indian Ocean".[6]
Serranus tigrinus is found in the aquarium trade.[7][4]
Serranus tigrinus, the harlequin bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea bass from the subfamily Serraninae, which is a part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the groupers and the anthias. It can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean, and also in aquarium trades.
