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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Subtropical

Belted sandfish

Serranus subligarius Cope, 1870
Max Length
10 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Occurs from water's edge to at least 18 m depth, often in silty water. Synchronously hermaphroditic. Not a coral-reef species .

Scientific Name
Serranus subligarius
Authority
Cope, 1870
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
10 cm
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Stubby sea bass with a pointed snout.: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Belted sandfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

Spawn Location
Pelagic

Pelagic spawner.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 18 m . Subtropical; 37°N - 18°N, 100°W - 74°W North Carolina to Florida (rare in Keys) and Texas, USA.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.4±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01096 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
10cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2012

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
24.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Cope, 1870

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Belted sandfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.2 g
Omega-3 (total) 410 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Belted sandfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy90 kcal
Moisture80 %
Protein18 %
Total Fat1.2 %
Ash1.2 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat0.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat0.4 g
Omega-3 Total0.3 g
EPA0.08 g
DHA0.15 g
Omega-6 Total0.05 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium18 mg
Iron0.4 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus200 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium60 mg
Zinc0.4 mg
Selenium30 µg
Vitamin B60.3 mg
Vitamin B121 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Centropristis subligarius Cope 1870 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 31 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Belted sandfish ↗
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