Belted Sandfish

Serranus subligarius should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of rockwork and open swimming space. Plenty of live rock, caves, overhangs, and crevices should be provided to mimic their natural reef and sandy bottom habitat and offer areas to rest. Belted Sandfish are generally considered reef safe with caution, but may prey on very small ornamental shrimp or micro crustaceans. Provide a diet of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, finely chopped seafood, enriched frozen preparations, and quality marine carnivore pellets. Always keep well fed with multiple feedings per day. Belted Sandfish are typically kept singly or in carefully monitored pairs and usually swim in the lower to mid-levels of the aquarium. They are ambush predators that will dart quickly to capture prey. Ensure you have a tight-fitting lid as they may jump when startled. This species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals possess both male and female reproductive organs. Males and females cannot be visually distinguished. Belted Sandfish stay relatively small but still require stable water quality and adequate swimming space to thrive. The Belted Sandfish is also known as the Dwarf Sea Bass. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade, this species has a pale tan to pinkish body with a distinct dark horizontal stripe running from head to tail. Belted Sandfish can grow to approximately 4-5". We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons or larger for a single specimen, with larger systems recommended if housing multiple individuals.