Sand Perches

Critter Spotlight: Parapercis schauinslandii

Photo Credit: John Randall

These fishes belong in the Order Perciformes and Suborder Trachinoidei, where they are members of the Family Pinguipedidae. There are 4 genera having a total of 50 species. These small to medium size fish occasionally show up in the trade and even though in a reef aquarium they are not a threat to corals, they will eat small shrimp, feather dusters, Christmas tree worms, and other small invertebrates and small fish. Nevertheless, they would also eat bristleworms and mantis shrimps. Much caution is advised where tankmates are concerned if keeping Sand Perches, and only one per tank is advised, as they will fight each other, especially the males. Also, they tend to be good jumpers, so cover the aquarium!

Parapercis

• Parapercis clathrata (Latticed Sandperch)
• Parapercis cylindrica (Cylindrical Sandperch)
• Parapercis hexophtalma (Speckled Sandperch)
• Parapercis robinsoni (Smallscale Grubfish)
• Parapercis schauinslandii (Redspotted Sandperch)
• Parapercis signata (Blackflag Sandperch)
• Parapercis snyderi (U-mark Sandperch)
• Parapercis tetracantha (Reticulated Sandperch)