Maldivian Sandperch

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

Description

This perch has an elongated, cylindrical body of white color, marked with vertical brown bands on the back, yellowish on the belly, sometimes cut by a white horizontal median band. It is characterized by the first rays of the dorsal fin are ridge-shaped, black in color. The head is marked with small brown dots above and 2 vertical orange-brown lines below the eye. The mouth is marked with 4 white dots, above the full lips. The dorsal fin and the anal are white with a series of large black dots on the base, 2 series of continuous black dots along the length, more or less dark border on the outer edge. The pelvic fins are long, transparent, with a white base, and provide support. The base of the pectoral fins are rounded, transparent. The caudal fin is white with small brown and black dots. Max size is 13 cm.

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka.

Habitat

It is found singly, in pairs or small schools resting on its fins over rubble bottoms close to reefs. It feeds on small invertebrates and fish.