Slender Mandarinfish

Siniperca roulei is a benthopelagic fish found in portions of the Yangtze River Basin, previously inhabitating even greater extents of the basin. The upper Yangtze basin is considered the part from the headwaters to the Three Gorges area, or a catchment area of approximately one million square kilometers; this upper basin is quite mountainous. The upper Yangtze basin consists chiefly of Paleozoic limestone and terrigenous sedimentary rock, with some granitic material. The highest elevation ecoregion of the Yangtze Basin is the uppermost reach or headwaters catchment area of the Yangtze, known as the Tibetan Plateau alpine shrub and meadows. The most downstream element of the upper Yangtze basin is often termed the Sichuan Basin; here the Yangtze cuts through Triassic and Permian material before entering the Three Gorges. The Three Gorges area is a stretch of the Yangtze that runs approximately 660 kilometers, terminating at the site of the Three Gorges Dam. Several other endemic benthopelagic fishes are found in the Yangtze, including: Anabarilius polylepis, Liobagrus kingi, Bangana rendahli, Pseudogyrinocheilus prochilus, and Sinocyclocheilus grahami. The demersal fish Silurus meridionalis also is found as a Yangtze River endemic species.

Snout pointed; lower jaw much projected and upper one reaching beneath eyes; preopercular serrated on hind margin and opercular spines 2; branchial membranes separated and free; gill rakers knobble-shaped. Pyloric caeca 5-10. Pectoral, pelvic and caudal fins rounded. Anomalistic macula and dark spots on the head and body sides (Ref. 85820).

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7

A mountain stream species of the warmly temperate zone; likes clear water with plenty of rocks at bottom. Carnivore. Feeds on small fishes, shrimps and aquatic insects.

A mountain stream species of the warmly temperate zone; likes clear water with plenty of rocks at bottom. Feeds on small fishes, shrimps and aquatic insects (Ref. 45563). Utilized for food (Ref. 89718).

aquarium: commercial