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Argentinian sandperch (Pseudopercis semifasciata) — Pinguipedidae

Argentinian sandperch

Pseudopercis semifasciata
Family: Pinguipedidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Argentinian sandperch (Pseudopercis semifasciata) is a saltwater fish of the family Pinguipedidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southwest Atlantic
Edibility
Highly prized

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Description

The Argentinian sandperch is a large sandperch from the southwestern Atlantic, ranging from Sao Paulo in Brazil to the Gulf of San Jorge in Argentina. The species grows to about 1 metre and has an elongate, pale brown body with dark vertical and horizontal stripes and a black blotch at the base of the upper caudal lobe. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives over rocky and sandy coastal bottoms to about 100 metres depth and is a carnivore. It is a valued game and food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Argentinian sandperch?

The Argentinian sandperch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Dark striped markings and a black blotch on the upper caudal lobe; large bottom-dwelling predator

Where does the Argentinian sandperch live?

The Argentinian sandperch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southwest Atlantic

How big does the Argentinian sandperch get?

The Argentinian sandperch grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 49 cm.

Is the Argentinian sandperch dangerous to humans?

No, the Argentinian sandperch is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Argentinian sandperch edible?

Yes, the Argentinian sandperch is a highly prized food fish.

More photos

Argentinian sandperch (Pseudopercis semifasciata) — Pinguipedidae — 2
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Argentinian sandperch (Pseudopercis semifasciata) — Pinguipedidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Julia Mantinian, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Argentinian sandperch (Pseudopercis semifasciata) — Pinguipedidae — 4
Daniel Fernando Vidal (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Argentinian sandperch (Pseudopercis semifasciata) — Pinguipedidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel Fernando Vidal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Argentinian sandperch verified
Scientific name
Pseudopercis semifasciata
Family
Pinguipedidae
Other names
Brazilian sandperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
48.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Southwest Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dweller of rocky coastal bottoms; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Dark striped markings and a black blotch on the upper caudal lobe; large bottom-dwelling predator sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with baitfish or lures near rocky bottoms. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudopercis

More from the family Pinguipedidae

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