The barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) is a species of fish in the family Serranidae, the sea basses and groupers. It is native to California and Baja California, where it lives in the coastal waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. This species can reach a length of 67 cm (26.4 in) and a weight of 6 kilograms (13.2 lb). The body is elongated and compressed. It is gray-white in color with dark vertical bars and a whitish belly. It has a large mouth and a slightly protruding lower jaw. Similar species include the spotted sand bass (P. maculatofasciatus), which can be distinguished by small spots all along the body. The barred and spotted sand bass have an elongated third dorsal spine, distinguishing them from the similar kelp bass (P. clathratus), which has dorsal spines of equal length.
