Reticulated Sandperch

Parapercis tetracantha is a species of sandperches belonging to the fish family Pinguipedidae.

Description

Its body has 3 longitudinal series of large whitish spot, the dark grey-brown interspace a coarse reticulum. A dark grey-brown band from nape to interopercle containing a black ring just above gill opening. A broad dark grey-brown bar below eye. On each side of abdomen with 3 black spots.

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: from Maldives and Sri Lanka to Japan, East Australia, New Caledonia and Samoa Islands.

Habitat

It is found solitary or in small groups commonly on deep coastal slopes, from the shallow rocky shore to the deep soft bottom zones. It feeds on small fish and benthic invertebrates.