Sand perch
📖 Overview
Inhabits bays, coastal grassy areas and shallow banks. Solitary and retreats into shelter when frightened . Neither opercular spine nor anterolateral glandular grooves with venom gland is present . Synchronously hermaphroditic. Popular as a pan fish despite its small size.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Body pale brown dorsally with several vertical dark brown bars, becoming white ventrally; dorsal fin dusky with longitudinal yellow lines; pectoral, pelvic and anal fins dusky; caudal fin dusky with small yellow blotches . Preopercle has spines radiating from 2 centers .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Sand perch is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Simultaenous hermaphrodite. The gonad contains ovarian and testicular tissue separated by a thin basement membrane, with no means of internal self-fertilization.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 80 m . Subtropical; 42°N - 35°S, 98°W - 28°W North Carolina, USA, the northern Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas southward to Uruguay.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- heavy 6-7ft conventional rod
- 50-80 lb braid
- 80-100 lb fluorocarbon leader
- rocky reefs
- wrecks
- ledges
- artificial structure
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Seasonal closures common. Size and bag limits vary by species.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Sand perch is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 276 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Sand perch has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Sand perch · Sand perch, Sand seabass · Squirrelfish · sand seabass |
| 🏳️Catalan | Serrà de l'Atlàntic |
| 🌍CES | kanic písečný |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Vestatlantisk sandhavaborre |
| 🇫🇷French | Serran de sable |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | トゲフデハタ |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Strzępiel Piaskowy |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Jacundá · Michole-de-areia · Michole-de-areia-listrado · Serrano-do-Atlântico |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | serrano · serrano arenero |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 美麗沙鮨 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perca formosa | Linnaeus | 1766 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Sand perch.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 140 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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