Harlequin Bass

Harlequin Bass, Juvenile

The Harlequin Bass has a sharply pointed head and a greenish-white body that becomes pale yellow toward the underside. Its body is covered in dark vertical bars and small black spots arranged in horizontal rows. Both the dorsal fin and tail are speckled with small black spots. The dorsal fin has two rows of black spots, and the tail has a black bar at its base.

The Harlequin Bass is often found alone or in pairs on the reef and in shallow water among rocks and coral. It is cautious and territorial. It feeds by ambushing prey, drawing small crustaceans and fish into its mouth and swallowing them whole. It has both male and female organs at the same time, and during spawning, pairs can alternate roles.