Redspotted Sandperch
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A comical, bottom-hopping species that is safe with aquarium corals. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
This is a droll-looking, attractively marked fish that will spend its time resting on the bottom, hopping from one place to another, sometimes shooting up into the water column to grab a piece of food.
Family: Pinguipedidiae
Other common name(s):
- Schauinsland’s Sandperch
Native range:
Habitat: Reef-sand interface. Provide hiding places on the aquarium bottom. (Ideally, make a depression in the sand and place a flat rock over it, leaving an entrance hole for the sandperch.)
Maximum length: 13 cm (5 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 209 L (55 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: Bottom.
[edit] Feeding
Carnivore. Feed meaty seafoods at least twice a day.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
This species will quarrel with species that live on the aquarium bottom and that have a similar body plan (more elongate). Gobies, for example, are a frequent target. In many cases, however, the sandperch itself is the target of more aggressive species like larger damselfishes, larger dottybacks and hawkfishes. Keep only one per small to moderate-size tank—if the tank is large enough (e.g., 135 gallons [513 L] or more) it is possible to keep two individuals in the same tank. Select juveniles or two individuals that differ in size so it is more likely that you will acquire a heterosexual pair. It is not a threat to corals, but will eat worms, shrimps and crabs.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Egg scatterers that produce pelagic eggs, often in midwater mating rituals. Both eggs and larvae that drift with plankton in the water column and settle back onto a reef at about the time of metamorphosis. These are among the most challenging types of marine fishes to propagate in captivity.
[edit] Notes
It will jump out of an open tank if startled. Be sure the aquarium is always covered.
| Common name | Redspotted Sandperch +, and Schauinsland’s Sandperch + |
| Family | Pinguipedidiae + |
| Genus | Parapercis + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 5 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 55 gal + |
| Native range | Indian Ocean +, Pacific Ocean +, Pitcairn Islands +, Japan +, Great Barrier Reef +, and Oceania + |
| Reference | 101 Best Saltwater Fishes + |
| Specific name | schauinslandii + |
| Swimming level | Bottom. + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |