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Pacific sandperch (Prolatilus jugularis) — Pinguipedidae

Pacific sandperch

Prolatilus jugularis
Family: Pinguipedidae

The Pacific sandperch (Prolatilus jugularis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Pinguipedidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
5.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeast Pacific off South America; rocky and sandy bottoms.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Pacific sandperch is a sandperch (Pinguipedidae) from the southeastern Pacific off the coast of South America. The species has an elongate, silvery body with yellowish tints and a flattened head. It inhabits rocky and sandy bottoms of coastal waters. As a bottom predator it feeds on crustaceans, polychaete worms and small fishes. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific sandperch?

The Pacific sandperch has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Oblong sandperch of South American coastal bottoms; bottom-dwelling predator and food fish.

Where does the Pacific sandperch live?

The Pacific sandperch lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southeast Pacific off South America; rocky and sandy bottoms.

How big does the Pacific sandperch get?

The Pacific sandperch grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Pacific sandperch dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Pacific sandperch edible?

Yes, the Pacific sandperch is commonly eaten.

More photos

Pacific sandperch (Prolatilus jugularis) — Pinguipedidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) César Piñones Cañete, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pacific sandperch (Prolatilus jugularis) — Pinguipedidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Shaklecson (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Pacific sandperch (Prolatilus jugularis) — Pinguipedidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) pablo_zamora, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pacific sandperch (Prolatilus jugularis) — Pinguipedidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) pablo_zamora, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Pacific sandperch verified
Scientific name
Prolatilus jugularis
Family
Pinguipedidae
Other names
Tilefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Southeast Pacific off South America; rocky and sandy bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans, polychaetes and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Oblong sandperch of South American coastal bottoms; bottom-dwelling predator and food fish. 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

More from the family Pinguipedidae

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