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White seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus) — Embiotocidae

White seaperch

Phanerodon furcatus
Family: Embiotocidae

The White seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Embiotocidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
32 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–43.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific, along the west coast of North America.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The white seaperch is a marine fish of the surfperch family (Embiotocidae) of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 32 cm and has an oval, laterally compressed and silvery-white body with a deeply forked tail. It occurs near piers, docks, in bays and sandy zones, usually in quiet water and near rocks farther offshore. Like all surfperches it is livebearing: the female carries the developing young. It feeds on small invertebrates. The species is fished occasionally and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White seaperch?

The White seaperch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Ovoviviparous marine fish with a deeply forked tail.

Where does the White seaperch live?

The White seaperch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific, along the west coast of North America.

How big does the White seaperch get?

The White seaperch grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.

Is the White seaperch dangerous to humans?

No, the White 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 White seaperch edible?

The White seaperch is rarely eaten.

More photos

White seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus) — Embiotocidae — 2
Zach Fratello (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
White seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus) — Embiotocidae — 3
Yinan Li (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
White seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus) — Embiotocidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jeremy_Jodoin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
White seaperch (Phanerodon furcatus) — Embiotocidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) James Maughn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
White seaperch verified
Scientific name
Phanerodon furcatus
Family
Embiotocidae
Other names
White seaperch; White surfperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
43.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific, along the west coast of North America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Ovoviviparous; young are born in the warm months. inferred
Special features
Ovoviviparous marine fish with a deeply forked tail. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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

Same genus Phanerodon

More from the family Embiotocidae

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