Peacock Sole

Pardachirus is a genus of soles mainly native to coastal water in the Indo-Pacific. A single species, P. poropterus is restricted to estuaries and lower sections of freshwater streams. At least some species in the genus are toxic.

Description

It is reddish-brown to pale brown with a densely spotted head, spots of various shapes and sizes on the body and fins of the eyed-side, spots with a dark border and often a blackish central spot. Dorsal fin 62-73; Anal fin 48-55. Eyes on right side. Dorsal and anal fins separate from caudal fin; pectoral fins absent; pelvic fins unequal, the right one with an elongated base and attached posteriorly to genital papilla. Max length is 25 cm, common length is 12.5 cm.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Sri Lanka east to Samoa and Tonga, north to Japan, south to Onslow, Australia.

Habitat

It occurs on sand and mud bottoms of lagoon and seaward reefs. It burries itself in the sand. It feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates, especially small crustaceans, polychaete worms and small molluscs. Extract from sac under the skin is toxic and the mucus appears to have shark-repellent qualities.