Two Giant Black Sea Bass in a Courtship Posture, in Kelp at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Giant Black Sea Bass with Distinctive Identifying Black Spots that allow researchers to carry out sight/resight studies on the animals distributions and growth. Black sea bass can reach 500 pounds and 8 feet in length.
Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Three Giant Black Sea Bass in a Courtship Posture, Hovering One Above the Other in Kelp at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
A male giant sea bass nudges a female giant sea bass to encourage spawning as they swim in a tight circle. This courting pair of giant sea bass is deep in the kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, giant sea bass gather in kelp forests in California to form courtship and mating aggregations, eventually leading to spawning.
Closeup Portrait of the Face of a Giant Black Sea Bass, showing parasitic sea lice. These parasites find their nutrition from the skin and blood of the host giant sea bass. Smaller fishes such as senoritas and wrasses will commonly clean the sea lice off the giant sea bass.
Three giant black sea bass, gathering in a mating/courtship aggregation amid kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Giant Black Sea Bass with Unique Pattern of Black Spots at Catalina Island. The giant sea bass is an endangered species reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Broad Tail of a Black Sea Bass in the California Kelp Forest showing distinctive unique black spots that allow researchers to identify individual giant sea bass.
Giant black sea bass in the kelp forest at Catalina Island. An Endangered Giant Sea Bass can reach up to 8 feet in length and 500 pounds, seen here amid the giant kelp forest of Catalina Island. Once nearly fished to extinction and now thought to be at risk of a genetic bottleneck, the giant sea bass is slowly recovering and can be seen in summer months in California's kelp forests.
Two giant black sea bass swim in a courtship circle, part of a larger gathering of a mating aggregation amid kelp forest, Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
An Endangered Giant Sea Bass can reach up to 8 feet in length and 500 pounds, seen here amid the giant kelp forest of Catalina Island.
Giant black sea bass, gathering in a mating - courtship aggregation amid kelp forest, Catalina Island.
Two Giant black sea bass hover in the kelp forest as a courting pair, part of a larger mating aggregation at Catalina Island. In summer months, giant black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations leading to spawning. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Five giant black sea bass in a mating and courtship aggregation in the kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations leading to spawning. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Two Giant sea bass comprise a courting pair as part of a larger mating aggregation amid the kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, giant seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations leading to spawning. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
A male giant sea bass nudges a female giant sea bass to encourage spawning as they swim in a tight circle. This courting pair of giant sea bass is deep in the kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, giant sea bass gather in kelp forests in California to form courtship and mating aggregations, eventually leading to spawning.
Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
A giant black sea bass is an endangered species that can reach up to 8 feet in length and 500 pounds, often found amid the giant kelp forest, Once nearly fished to extinction and now thought to be at risk of a genetic bottleneck, the giant sea bass is slowly recovering and can be seen in summer months in California's kelp forests.
Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Giant black sea bass, gathering in a mating - courtship aggregation amid kelp forest, Catalina Island.
Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest. Catalina Island, California, USA.
Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest. Catalina Island, California, USA.