Chilean Sandperch

Common name: Chilean Sandperch.

Scientific name: Pinguipes chilensis.

Size: As adults they measure around 60 cm. in length, although specimens measuring 80 cm can rarely be observed.

Where does it live?: In Chile, from the extreme north of the country to the Aysen region.

Favorite sites: In permanent movement, it swims slowly and without haste very close to the bottom, whether it’s rock, sand or shells, sweeping in search of their prey.

Diet: It is a carnivorous fish, very active preying on crustaceans such as rock shrimp, as well as other invertebrates such as polychaetes and mollusks. It feeds on more than 50 types of prey, which makes it a relevant predator in the subtidal environment.

Curious fact: Juvenile specimens have a distinctive black spot near the caudal fin (tail fin) to go unnoticed on sand and shell bottoms.

Conservation status: In Chile the species does not have an official conservation category, and globally it has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, the Chilean Sandperch is caught by both artisanal fishers and spearfishers due to its desirable white meat, which has led to a decline of their stocks, especially outside the Territorial User Rights for Fisheries (TURF or AMERB, as abbreviated in Spanish).