Groupers & Basses- Family Serranidae. There are many "reef" basses occupying various niches of the TWA. For the purpose of clarity, and because they are separately identified as such, we’ll list these by their four top genera/common name groupings.

"True" basses of the area comprise several species; most get too big and carnivorous for home use, but two of the three most commonly offered make outstanding aquarium fare. The Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata (1) is an almost dog equivalent as pet fishes go, training to "do tricks" and coming to quickly identify with its owners. The Coney, C. fulva (1), is a fish of many colors, coming in golds, browns, reds and bicolor phases… always with a sprinkling of blue dots. It grows to about half the length (10") of the larger Graysby. The Creole-fish, Paranthias furcifer (2) is not readily recognized as a bass at all. This fish lives more in the open waters, more like the related, smaller Anthias species.

Genus Cephalopholis:

Genus Epinephelus:

Genus Mycteroperca:

Genus Paranthias:

Subfamily Grammistinae (or Family Grammistidae, Soapfishes), Genus Rypticus:

The Dwarf Seabasses of the genus Serranus (1) are a delight to all types of marine aquarium keepers. Most get no more than a few inches, they’re tough and don’t hassle most types of tankmates. Four of seven members of the genus regularly make it into the industry. Most popular are the Lantern Bass, S. baldwini (1) and Harlequin Bass, S. tigrinus (1), with its dark tiger-like barring. About equal in running-up are the Chalk Bass, S. tortugarum (1), and Tobaccofish, S. tabacarius (1). The remaining three species are likewise attractive and hardy, just not frequently available.

Ecotype: Shallows of mixed rubble, sand and reef, near the bottom.

Serranus tabacarius (Cuvier 1829), the Tobaccofish. A common offering in the pet fish interest. Also from the tropical west Atlantic. To some eight inches in length. Aquarium and Cozumel pix.

Serranus tigrinus (Bloch 1790), the Harlequin Bass. Common in the wild (tropical west Atlantic) and in the aquarium trade. Grows to almost a foot in length in the wild. A juvenile off Cozumel and adult in St. Lucia.

Serranus tortugarum Longley 1935, the Chalk Bass. Tropical west Atlantic. To three inches in length. Aquarium, Cozumel and Cancun images.

Reef Basslets, genus Liopropoma, are likewise beautiful, moderately tough aquarium choices for peaceful settings. All four species found in the TWA are striking in appearance, though only two occur in pet-fish markets regularly. The Peppermint (aka Swissguard) Basslet, L. rubre (2) is most often found, with the equally beautiful Candy Basslet, L. carnabi (2) a distant second. The other two Liopropoma, the Cave Basslet (L. mowbrayi) (2) and Wrasse Basslet (L. eukrines) (2) aren’t collected for aquarium use. Unfortunately they are deeper water (80-200+ feet) species.

Ecotype: Caves and ledges of vertical reefs. These are very secretive fishes.

Hamlets, genus Hypoplectrus. Whether you believe that all the color variants of this genus represent but one widely diverging species or ten, eleven separate ones, the Hamlets make up the third group of semi-hardy aquarium-friendly small basses of the TWA. Most often offered is the Barred Hamlet, H. puella (2), but it is not the greatest beauty of the group. The iridescent Blue Hamlet, H. gemma (2), must really be seen in its full glory in the wild to be appreciated. Other members at times available are the Indigo (H. indigo) (2), Yellowtail (H. chlorurus) (2), and the spectacularly gorgeous Golden Hamlet, H. gummigutta (2).

To: Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11,