Bass

Bass, fish of the Serranidae and Centrarchidae families. In Europe the name usually refers to saltwater fish of the family Serranidae, popular as game fish and food. Most of them grow to 2 ft (60 cm) or more, and the giant sea bass found in tropical waters may exceed 7 ft (2 m). The European bass is common around the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, but related species are found in shallow tropical waters and in fresh water. In the United States and Canada, the name is applied to freshwater fish of the Centrarchidae family. The black bass, one of the most popular of game fishes, is found in lakes and streams of eastern North America. Sunfish, the smaller members of the family, are often found in aquariums. Other North American freshwater bass are spotted bass, rock bass, grass bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and silver bass.