Sand tilefish (Malacanthus plumieri) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 10–153 m.
Scientific name: Malacanthus plumieri · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 70 cm
The sand tilefish is a malacanthid of sand and rubble bottoms in shallow water, recorded from 10 to 153 m. It builds mounds of rubble and shell fragments near reefs and grass beds, entering the mound head first when frightened, and it feeds mainly on stomatopods, fishes, polychaete worms, chitons, sea urchins, sea stars, amphipods and shrimps. It tends to bite when handled. Maximum length is about 70 cm standard length, commonly about 50 cm total length. It is a minor commercial species and a gamefish, marketed fresh, with a very high price category; between 1995 and 2000 at least seven specimens were traded as aquarium fish. Fishing vulnerability is moderate to high at 50 of 100. IUCN lists it as least concern.
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