Marine Learning Center - Stealth Bass

Stealth Bass

Once a fishwatcher learns to identify the most common coral reef residents their attention quickly turns to the more exotic and seldom seen species. One such group is made up of four species of small sea bass from the genus Liopropoma. These two to four inch fish, fondly referred to as stealth bass, are a thrill to discover because of their beauty and secretive nature. The little fellows tend to hide out under narrow ledge overhangs and inside small cave entrances at depths greater than 50 feet.

The underwater light, necessary to substantiate an ID, often causes the fish to retreat from view. Although shy, these little bass also have the innate curiosity typical of all sea bass and will slowly but surely return, providing a brief second view before once again sliding back into the shadows of their hideaways.

Peppermint Bass

The most commonly sighted member of the genus are the Peppermint Bass, L. rubre. Although generally found below 40 feet, they often inhabit waters as shallow as ten feet. Peppermint Bass are boldly marked with distinct black, maroon, rose, and gold stripes running from their pointed snouts to their tails. In size, color and markings they resemble dime store peppermint sticks. The tips of the rear dorsal and anal fins, which the fish generally keep erect, are marked in black with identical electric blue outlines.

Candy Bass

A second member of the genus, Candy Bass, L. carmabi, are similarly marked and colored; however, these little fish are smaller, measuring only 1½ to 2 inches, much more rare, and live below 50 feet. They can be visually identified to species by an absence of markings on their anal fins.

Cave Bass

Cave Bass, L. mowbrayi differ from other genus members by the absence of body stripes. Instead, they display a solid salmon color with bright blue and black markings on the rear dorsal, anal and tail fins. They also have yellow marks on their snouts. The best way to find a Cave Bass is to drop down a wall to 80 or 90 feet and slowly work your way up, looking for shallow pockets two or three feet wide. Once you discover one, look for others nearby in similar reef pockets.

Wrasse Bass

Unlike other genus members that are distributed throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean, the final stealth bass, known as Wrasse Bass, L. eukrines, inhabit waters below 50 feet off the middle to southeast coast of Florida. They can be identified by a wide, red-brown midbody stripe, bordered in yellow, that runs from their snouts to tails.