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Artist Note: At times customers or anglers request us to use a reference photograph to paint by. If so our skilled artists will identify any unique characteristics in the photo which are later reflected in the completed paint scheme. This is why no two mounts are ever exactly alike and explains the differences you may see in the coloration of the various mounts. If you have a photo or description, please send it by email to [email protected]

• Scientific Name: Centropristis striata
• Average Weight: 5 - 15 lbs.
• Location & Habitat: The black seabass is a warm temperate species that resides in the western Atlantic Ocean from Canada and Maine south to northeastern Florida and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. During cold winters, this species has been reported off southern Florida.This seabass is common around rock jetties and over rocky bottoms in shallow water, however they have also been reported in offshore waters to depths of 425 feet . Most of their time is spent along the bottom substrate, often forming congregations around formations on the bottom such as rock piles, wrecks, piers and pilings. At other times, it rests stationary, in either a head-down or head-up position. The dorsal fin is typically folded close to the body, only spread out as an aggressive posture to other seabass. Juveniles reside in the protective estuarine waters around jetties, piers, wrecks, and shell bottoms. They have also been reported in offshore waters.
• Biology: Black seabass are protogynous hermaphrodites. Individuals typically function first as females, then undergoing sexual succession and becoming functional males. The northern population of this species (north of Cape Hatteras) spawns buoyant pelagic eggs on the continental shelf during the spring through fall months. Spawning begins in the spring in the southern portion of this population and occurs later toward the more northern range of this northern population. The eggs are pelagic, measuring 0.9-1.0 mm in diameter. Hatching occurs after about 75 hours in water temperatures of 16 degrees Celsius. The larvae remain pelagic until reaching lengths of approximately 13 mm at which time they either become demersal or estuarine.
• Physical Description: The body of the black seabass is stout and robust with a large head, pointy snout, and large oblique mouth. The eye is set high and there is one sharp flat spine located near the caudal end of the operculum. The upper jaw extends to the center of the eye. The dorsal fin is continuous with males having noticeably higher fins than females. The pectoral fins are long and rounded, extending almost to the anal fin. The pelvic fins are large and originate posterior of the pectoral fins. The rounded anal fins originate below the soft portion of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin has three lobes with one extended upper ray in adults; juveniles have rounded caudal fins. Males in breeding condition develop an adipose hump on the nape (in front of the dorsal fin). Large scales cover the body of this fish, but it is naked at the head.