PINGUIPEDIDAE


Parapercis millepunctata
(photo by Kanit Wangcharoenrung)


Parapercis millepunctata
(Günther,1860)
Spotted Sandperch

D IV, 20-21 (usually 21); A I, 17; P1 usually 17; LLp 55-58. 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 whitish to pale greenish dorsally with a longitudinal series of brown blotches, whitish ventrally with a complex pattern of 3 rows of brown to dark brown spots joined by narrow dark stripes; cheek region with 2 large dark spots ventrally; caudal fin with a large black blotch anteriorly, rectangular white spot posteriorly. Size: attaining to at least 18 cm. Distribution: widespread, ranging from the Maldives and Mauritius to Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands and to Pitcairn Islands. Remarks: usually found in clear water on sand or rubble around coral reefs in shallow water.