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Squirrel sand perch (Diplectrum sciurus) — Serranidae

Squirrel sand perch

Diplectrum sciurus
Family: Serranidae

The Squirrel sand perch (Diplectrum sciurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
25.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Squirrel sand perch is a sand perch (Serranidae) from shallow coastal and reef water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, sandy-brown body with blue and orange lines and spots and large eyes. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it rests on sand and rubble bottoms and darts out at small crustaceans, worms and small fish. Like many seabasses it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Squirrel sand perch?

The Squirrel sand perch has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Squirrel sand perch live?

The Squirrel sand perch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Squirrel sand perch get?

The Squirrel sand perch grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Squirrel sand perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Squirrel sand perch is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Eekhoorn-zandbaars sourced
English name
Squirrel sand perch sourced
Scientific name
Diplectrum sciurus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Squirrel sand perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Diplectrum

More from the family Serranidae

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