Are bass freshwater or marine fish?

Bass is a common name that applies to species found in both freshwater and marine environments.

Are bass members of the perch family (Percidae)?

Despite the name's origin meaning "perch", commonly referred bass species do not belong to the perch family Percidae.

What higher taxonomic groups do bass belong to?

Species called bass are ray-finned fishes in the clade Percomorpha and mainly fall within the orders Perciformes and Moroniformes.

Is "bass" a single species?

No — "bass" is a common name used for many different species across multiple groups of ray-finned fishes.

Does the term "bass" specify a precise scientific classification?

No — it is a vernacular name applied to various species within Percomorpha rather than a single taxonomic unit.

Does the term imply consistent appearance or ecology across all bass species?

No — because many different species are called bass, they can vary in habitat and traits.

Should I expect the same behaviors across all fish called bass?

Not necessarily; the common name covers multiple species with potentially different behaviors and habitats.

Where to See Bass While Diving

Q: What is the origin of the word "bass"?

The word "bass" comes from Middle English "bars", meaning "perch".

Bass is a common name shared by many species of ray-finned fish from the large clade Percomorpha. Species commonly called bass mainly belong to the orders Perciformes and Moroniformes and include both freshwater and marine species. The English word "bass" comes from Middle English "bars", meaning "perch", though commonly referred bass species do not belong to the perch family Percidae.

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Sussex Coast (Brighton, Eastbourne and Selsey), Halkidiki and Thassos, Zeeland (Oosterschelde and Grevelingenmeer) and countries such as United States of America, United Kingdom, Greece for divers building trips around basses.