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Inshore sand perch (Diplectrum pacificum) — Serranidae

Inshore sand perch

Diplectrum pacificum
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Inshore sand perch (Diplectrum pacificum) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
34 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–90.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Pacific sand perch is a fish of the family Serranidae from the eastern Pacific. The species has a streamlined, brownish body with blue and orange lines and reaches about 34 cm. It lives on sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal waters, where juveniles and small adults occur close to shore. It is a predator feeding on fishes and crustaceans and lives to about six years. Notably the species is a synchronous hermaphrodite: each individual possesses male and female sex organs at the same time. It is of local commercial importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Inshore sand perch?

The Inshore sand perch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Synchronous hermaphrodite (male and female at the same time); inhabitant of sandy and muddy bottoms.

Where does the Inshore sand perch live?

The Inshore sand perch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru.

How big does the Inshore sand perch get?

The Inshore sand perch grows to a maximum of about 34 cm.

Is the Inshore sand perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Inshore sand perch is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Inshore sand perch edible?

Yes, the Inshore sand perch is commonly eaten.

More photos

Inshore sand perch (Diplectrum pacificum) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Inshore sand perch (Diplectrum pacificum) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Inshore sand perch (Diplectrum pacificum) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Inshore sand perch (Diplectrum pacificum) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) jose_fl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Inshore sand perch verified
Scientific name
Diplectrum pacificum
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Pacific sand perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Simultaneous hermaphrodite sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Synchronous hermaphrodite (male and female at the same time); inhabitant of sandy and muddy bottoms. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Diplectrum

More from the family Serranidae

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