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Sand roller (Percopsis transmontana) — Percopsidae

Sand roller

Percopsis transmontana
Family: Percopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sand roller (Percopsis transmontana) is a freshwater fish of the family Percopsidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwestern USA
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The sand roller is a small freshwater fish from the Columbia basin in the northwestern United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a translucent, silvery body with an adipose fin, an unusual feature for this group. As a bottom-dweller it stays in calm, sandy parts of rivers and lakes and feeds on small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sand roller?

The Sand roller has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Translucent body with an adipose fin; bottom-dweller of sandy areas

Where does the Sand roller live?

The Sand roller lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwestern USA

How big does the Sand roller get?

The Sand roller grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Sand roller dangerous to humans?

No, the Sand roller 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 Sand roller edible?

The Sand roller is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Sand roller verified
Scientific name
Percopsis transmontana
Family
Percopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.6 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Northwestern USA verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and insect larvae inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
6.0 verified
Seasonality
Bottom-dwelling small sand roller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Translucent body with an adipose fin; bottom-dweller of sandy areas sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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

Same genus Percopsis

More from the family Percopsidae

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