PINGUIPEDIDAE


Parapercis clathrata
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Parapercis clathrata
Ogilby, 1910
Latticed Sandperch

D IV-V (usually IV), 20-21; A I, 17; P1 usually 17; LLp 57-60.

Body cylindrical. Three pairs of canine teeth on lower jaw anteriorly. Palatine teeth absent. Middle dorsal spines longest. Membrane from spinous dorsal connected to 1st soft ray opposite tip of last spine. Color: body light brown dorsally with rows of small dark spots, whitish ventrally with a lower series of 9 or 10 elliptical brown or brown and red spots, with blackish centers; single black spot with white margin above gill opening in males; caudal fin with a white or yellow spots. Size: maximum length about 18 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, including the Andaman Sea, western Australia, southern Japan, New Caledonia and Micronesia. Remarks: generally found on sand or rubble near reefs in shallow water.