Harlequin Bass (Serranus tigrinus)

Like its Serranus relatives, the Harlequin Bass is a simultaneous hermaphrodite that trades male and female roles with its mate across a single spawning session rather than committing to one sex — an efficient system for a fish that spends most of its time perched alone on the rockwork, waiting to ambush anything small enough to fit in its mouth. Bold, blotchy patterning makes it easy to pick out against bare rock.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful, may eat tiny ornamental shrimp · Max size: ~4" · Min tank: 30 gal · Diet: Carnivore, meaty foods