📖 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
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
🐟 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
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.
Mexico
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
⬇️ Benthic
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.01096 × L3.05
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
📊 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
🍽️ 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
|
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Belted sandfish.
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 31 records indexed
.