Barred Serrano

Serranus psittacinus, also known as the barred serrano or the parrotfish, is a species of fish in the family Serranidae. It is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from Central Baja California to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. It is a small fish, reaching a maximum length of 18 cm. The body is brown or grey above, with four short, double or H-shaped dark bars. The lower body is white, with a row of seven dark blotches. The dorsal fin has a central red stripe, and the soft fins are reddish. The tail fin has many vertical rows of red spots. The anal fin also has red spots.

The barred serrano is found in rocky bottoms or isolated reefs. It is usually found near patch reefs on sandy or broken-shell bottoms. It is solitary and diurnal. Juveniles under laboratory conditions can tolerate low water temperatures, e.g. 9.4°C.

The barred serrano is a carnivore. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates. It is a popular game fish. It is also used for food in some parts of its range.

CGT