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Step 1
Note the brassy brown or pale olive color with black blotches. The blotches look similar to vertical bars. Above the pectoral fin the blotch is darker than the other blotches.
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Step 2
Inspect the head looking for wavy blue lines and lips that are a bluish-purple color. The caudal fin on adults is tri-lobed. There are also no scales on the edging of the nape.
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Step 3
Measure the Bank Sea Bass. It is generally less than a half a pound and about 8 inches in length.
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Step 1
Notice the color, body shape, and fin characteristics. Larger ones are mostly black, while smaller ones are a dusky-brown.
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Step 2
Watch for exposed parts of the scales, as they are paler. Its series of small pale dots gives the fish the look of having bars. The fish's belly will never be white.
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Step 3
Observe the fins and notice that they are dark. Look for markings in a series of bands and dots on the dorsal fin. There is a filament on the end of the caudal fin.
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Step 4
Find out if it is spawning season. This will help you when identifying males who will have a blue nuchal bump, a feature only visible during spawning season.
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Step 5
Weigh the Black Sea Bass. This species averages 1 to 2 pounds and 13 inches in length. They can reach up to 6 pounds and 24 inches.
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Step 1
Consider the olive or brown coloring with blotches that form bars.
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Step 2
Look for a purplish lower jaw. Their fins and head have bright blue and orange stripes.
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Step 3
Check the size of the Rock Sea Bass. Their average weight is less than a 1/2 pound.
