Sand Perch

Family Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Diplectrum formosum

Description: body and dorsal fins with many dark brown bars and alternating orange and blue horizontal lines; head with many blue lines; preopercular spines very well developed; grouped in 2 radiating clusters with a deep notch between them; upper lobe of caudal fin prolonged in adults.

Size: to 30 cm (1 ft.).

Where found: bays, coastal grassy areas, and shallow banks.

Remarks: popular as a pan fish despite its small size.

*The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.