Sandperch

Pinguipedidae

The sandperches belong to the family Pinguipedidae in the percomorph order Trachiniformes. They are benthic fish that typically inhabit sand or rubble substrates in shallow seas. These fish are commonly found along the coasts of South America, 🇿🇦 South Africa, and the Indo-Pacific region, extending as far as 🇯🇵 Japan. Certain species within this family are utilized as a food source by humans.

Sandperches exhibit certain characteristics reminiscent of wrasse, including long dorsal and anal fins that may contain a few spines and enlarged lips that appear to curl back, accompanied by prominent canine teeth at the front of their jaws. They possess elongated bodies that taper towards their head and are flattened towards the rear. The body is often adorned with spots and bands, while the eyes are situated towards the top of their head. Generally, sandperches are relatively small in size, typically measuring around 60 to 90 centimeters (24 to 35 inches) in length.

These fish predominantly rest on the seabed, supported by their widely spaced pelvic fins. It is worth noting that certain members of the genus Parapercis, which contains numerous species, exhibit sequential hermaphroditism. They are initially female upon reaching sexual maturity and subsequently transform into males, often displaying distinct differences in coloration and markings.