Bass Family

Sand Bass

The several varieties of Sand Bass available in Southern California, Barred (P.nebulifer), Spotted (P. maculatofasciatus), Goldspotted (P. auroguttatus), are all about the same as far as cooking is concerned. The Goldspotted is the only one much seen in markets here in Los Angeles, and is fished mainly in the Gulf of California. It can grow to 28 inches and 6 pounds, but the photo specimen, caught wild in Mexican waters, was 15 inches long and weighed a 1 pound 10 ounces. I have purchased them up to a little over 4 pounds.   Details and Cooking

European Seabass

This Seabass is native to Western Europe and northwestern Africa. It is common along the north coast of Norway, in the North Sea, around the British Isles, southern Iceland, and the Atlantic coasts of France, Spain, Morocco and Senegal. It is reasonably common in the Western Mediterranean and the north Adriatic, but relatively scarce in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is moderately common in the Black Sea.   Details and Cooking

Striped Bass

This sea bass is found mainly in river estuaries from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. up the Western Atlantic coast into Canada and there are some landlocked populations. It has been introduced to other countries and is now farmed commercially. These fish can grow to 78 inches and 125 pounds but the one in the photo was 15-1/2 inches and weighed 1-3/4 pounds, a typical market size. This fish renews its population fairly quickly, is not listed as threatened and is now being farmed.   Details and Cooking

White Bass

Native to the rivers of North America, this bass looks a lot like the Striped Bass, but it inhabits only fresh water and does not venture to sea. These fish can grow to almost 18 inches and 6-3/4 pounds but the one in the photo was 13-1/4 inches and weighed 1 pound 6 ounces, a little larger than the average market size. This fish is now farmed on an experimental basis and is not listed as threatened.   Details and Cooking

White Perch

Not actually a Perch but a Bass, this fish is native to the North Atlantic coast, living in salt, brackish and fresh water, and is an invasive species in the Great Lakes. It is a good eating fish and can be cooked in various ways. The White Perch is not considered threatened, in fact it is considered a nuisance in some areas. It can grow to a little over 19 inches and 4-3/4 pounds, but the photo specimen was 10 inches long and weighed 11 ounces, toward the high end of typical market size.   Details and Cooking.

Japanese Seabass / Seaperch

This fish is found from the north coast of Vietnam north around Korea to the southeast tip of Russia. Also around Japan and along the west coast of Taiwan, but not in the Philippines. Japanese Seabass can grow to 40 inches and 19 pounds, but the photo specimen was 16-3/4 inches and weighed 2 pounds 1-1/4 ounces. This fish is both caught wild and farmed. IUCN Red List NE (Not Evaluated), it is not considered endangered.   Details and Cooking.