PINGUIPEDIDAE


Parapercis tetracantha, 19.4 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)



Parapercis tetracantha
(from Luzon I., Philippines; KPM-NR 88455; photo by Hiroko Kodato)


Parapercis tetracantha
(Lacepède, 1801)
Reticulated Sandperch

D V, 20-21; A I, 16-18; P1 17-18; LLp 59-65.

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 pale brown dorsally with 9 dark brown bands, white ventrally; lateral and ventral portions of body with 9 dark brown bands, which making 8 rectangular pale brown areas along midline; cheek with 1 or 2 broad oblique dark brown bands; caudal fin with many small black, brown and white spots. Size: attaining to about 26 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific, from southern Japan to Indonesia and to Bay of Bengal. Remarks: usually found on sand or rubble areas in shallow water.