January Creature Feature

Kelp Bass
aka Calico Bass

Description: Kelp Bass are brownish to olive green, with light tan blotches. These fish usually hang out alone unless they are feeding. Kelp bass often join together to feed on schools of fishes so they can attack from all angles. Even though they’re called kelp bass, these fish can be found beyond the kelp forest. You can spot kelp bass around various structures, including rocks, pipes and pilings.

Range: Kelp Bass can be found along the Pacific coast, from Oregon to Baja California

Feeding: Baby kelp bass feed on crustaceans. As they get older kelp bass feed on small fishes and squid.

Defense: Kelp Bass have spines on their dorsal fins to protect them from other predators.

WOW!! Larval kelp bass (when they are still in their planktonic stage) settle on blades of giant kelp where they can grow.