Barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Perciformes · Family: Serranidae · Genus: Paralabrax.

Accepted name: Paralabrax nebulifer · Authority: (Girard, 1854) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 282059.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Labrax nebulifer Girard, 1854.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282059 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Paralabrax nebulifer. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 67 cm · Depth range: 1–183 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 46.8 of 100 · Fishery importance: subsistence fisheries.

FishBase notes: Usually found on sand bottom among or near rocks from shallow areas to about 183 m depth, but usually at less than 30 m. Juvenile feed on benthic invertebrates (crabs, bivalves and mysids) and rarely fish; adults prey on fishes (especially Porichthys notatus ) and also on crustaceans (Ref. 9342). Pelagic spawners (Ref. 56049). Important game fish (Ref. 9342).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 3337) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Paralabrax-nebulifer.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

174,308 georeferenced occurrence records for Paralabrax nebulifer are published through GBIF from 3 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 15 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 13 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (173,969); Mexico (337); Chile (1).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2387738) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2387738&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282059 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Paralabrax nebulifer (Girard, 1854) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 183861) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/183861/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2387738) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2387738/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

This species can reach a length of 67.0 cm and a weight of 6.0 kg.

The body is elongated and compressed. It is gray-white in color with dark vertical bars and a whitish belly. It has a large mouth and a slightly protruding lower jaw. Similar species include the spotted sand bass (P. maculatofasciatus), which can be distinguished by small spots all along the body. The barred and spotted sand bass have an elongated third dorsal spine, distinguishing them from the similar kelp bass (P. clathratus), which has dorsal spines of equal length.

Barred sand bass occur from Santa Cruz, California to Magdalena Bay in Baja California Sur.

It is usually found on sand bottom among or near rocks. This species lives in shallow waters up to 182.88 feet deep. It is most commonly caught in 60 to 90 feet of water. It lives on sandy bottoms.

The barred sand bass eats other fish, especially plainfin midshipman, and some invertebrates. Juveniles eat many types of small invertebrates and small fish.

The species forms spawning aggregations in the warmer months and is a pelagic spawner, releasing eggs freely into the water. Like other species of genus Paralabrax, the barred sand bass can change sex, with individuals turning from female to male as they age and grow larger, but most do not.

This is a popular sport fish in Southern California. Population studies have been performed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Populations are stable, likely due to recreational fishing regulations and a ban on commercial fishing of the species. It may also benefit from marine protected areas along the California coast.

Source: Wikipedia: Barred sand bass — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barred_sand_bass (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.