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Pink seaperch (Zalembius rosaceus) — Embiotocidae

Pink seaperch

Zalembius rosaceus
Family: Embiotocidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pink seaperch (Zalembius rosaceus) is a saltwater fish of the family Embiotocidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–229.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The pink seaperch is a small surfperch from the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an oval, laterally compressed, pinkish body, often with two dark spots on the back. As a bottom-dweller it lives over sand and mud bottoms to about 230 metres depth. Like other surfperches it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs. It feeds on small bottom crustaceans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pink seaperch?

The Pink seaperch has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly pink-purple and shows a spots pattern. Pinkish body with dark dorsal blotches; ovoviviparous surfperch

Where does the Pink seaperch live?

The Pink seaperch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific

How big does the Pink seaperch get?

The Pink seaperch grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Pink seaperch dangerous to humans?

No, the Pink seaperch is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Pink seaperch edible?

The Pink seaperch is not usually eaten.

More photos

Pink seaperch (Zalembius rosaceus) — Embiotocidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pink seaperch (Zalembius rosaceus) — Embiotocidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) hyperiodic, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pink seaperch (Zalembius rosaceus) — Embiotocidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jeremy_Jodoin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pink seaperch (Zalembius rosaceus) — Embiotocidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jeremy_Jodoin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pink seaperch verified
Scientific name
Zalembius rosaceus
Family
Embiotocidae
Other names
Pink seaperch; Pink surfperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
8.0 verified
Max depth (m)
229.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Ovoviviparous bottom perch; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Pinkish body with dark dorsal blotches; ovoviviparous surfperch sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Embiotocidae

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