WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Sand Tilefish

Malacanthus plumieri

Also known as: Caribbean Sand Tilefish, Muttonfish, Sand Blanquillo, Sand Eel, Sandfish, Whitey, Whiting

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Handle with careLook, don't touch
Adult
@Carlvh37 · Key Largo, United States · August 20181 / 12
01

Overview

Found singly or in pairs, in miles of self-made burrows made from rock and shells and in caves, often hovering near the entrance ready to dive head first when threatened.

Tilefish form undersea Pueblo villages made from gravel or sand substrate these self-made burrows and caves are at the base of reefs or piles of rock, often in canyons or at the edge of steep slopes.
If disturbed they quickly dive head-first into their constructed retreats.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
spots

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Country only · 12
LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, in miles of self-made burrows made from rock and shells and in caves, often hovering near the entrance ready to dive head first when threatened.

04

Adult photos 12

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderEupercaria incertae sedis
    5. familyMalacanthidae
    6. genusMalacanthus
    7. speciesMalacanthus plumieri (Bloch, 1786)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Eupercaria incertae sedis