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Cylindrical sandperch (Parapercis cylindrica) — Pinguipedidae

Cylindrical sandperch

Parapercis cylindrica
Family: Pinguipedidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cylindrical sandperch (Parapercis cylindrica) is a saltwater fish of the family Pinguipedidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; sheltered bays, harbours and lagoons with clear water.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The sharpnose sandperch is a small bottom fish of the sandperch family (Pinguipedidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 23 cm and has an elongate, cylindrical body with rows of dark spots, which hides well on the bottom. It inhabits sheltered bays, harbours and lagoons, mainly in clear water on sand, rubble and coral bottoms. As a bottom ambush predator it rests on its pectoral fins and seizes small invertebrates and small fishes. Sandperches are protogynous hermaphrodites: they start as females and can later become males. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cylindrical sandperch?

The Cylindrical sandperch has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern. Cylindrical body that rests on the pectoral fins; protogynous hermaphrodite (female first).

Where does the Cylindrical sandperch live?

The Cylindrical sandperch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; sheltered bays, harbours and lagoons with clear water.

How big does the Cylindrical sandperch get?

The Cylindrical sandperch grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Cylindrical sandperch dangerous to humans?

No, the Cylindrical sandperch is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Cylindrical sandperch edible?

The Cylindrical sandperch is rarely eaten.

More photos

Cylindrical sandperch (Parapercis cylindrica) — Pinguipedidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) gutekchgpg, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cylindrical sandperch (Parapercis cylindrica) — Pinguipedidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Cylindrical sandperch (Parapercis cylindrica) — Pinguipedidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) victorcnt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cylindrical sandperch (Parapercis cylindrica) — Pinguipedidae — 5
ae201 (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Cylindrical sandperch verified
Scientific name
Parapercis cylindrica
Family
Pinguipedidae
Other names
Cylindrical sandperch; Sand perch; Sharpnose grubfish; Sharpnose sandperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; sheltered bays, harbours and lagoons with clear water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Cylindrical body that rests on the pectoral fins; protogynous hermaphrodite (female first). sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Parapercis

More from the family Pinguipedidae

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