Red Checkered Perch (Asia Pacific)
The Red Checkered Perch is a colorful fish with bright ruby red bands and spots covering its elongated, snow white body. These bands cover its face nearly obscuring its eyes. On some individuals the bands appear as saddles along its back, giving it another common name, the U-Mark sand perch. It is also known as Snyderi's grubfish. It has a pointed snout, and may have yellow blotches or spots on its face and body. Males and females are visually identical. It grows to 5 inches; we recommend an aquarium 30 gallons or larger.
The Red Checkered Perch spends most of its time sitting atop rocks or the substrate, keeping a sharp eye on its surroundings, similar to a hawkfish. It may be kept in a group if the aquarium is sufficiently large and all individuals are added at the same time. We don't recommend keeping it with small fish, which it may harass, or small invertebrates which it may eat. It does not harm corals. We find the Red Checkered Perch adapts well to aquarium life and is a hardy addition.
Sand Perches are primarily carnivores and their diet should include plenty of high quality meaty items, marine algae, Spirulina, and frozen Mysis shrimp. It is preferable to feed at least once a day. Frozen food should be offered initially, and in time they usually learn to eat dry foods as well.
