Whitebelly sandperch

📖 Overview

Whitebelly sandperch (Parapercis albiventer), first described by Ho, Heemstra & Imamura, 2014 is a medium-sized fish in the family Pinguipedidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 16.80 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 18 to 31 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 17; Vertebrae: 30. This species is distinguished by the following characters: a bright white ventral surface, without color markings on lower fourth of body; a row of 10 reddish blotches present at vertical through lower half of pectoral-fin base, the lower part of each blotch with a solid black bar ventrally. Further distinguished from its congeners by having the following characters: D V,21; A I,17; pectoral-fin rays 17-18 (mainly 17); front of lower jaw with 3 pairs of enlarged canines; pored lateral line scales 55-59 (mainly 58); total gill rakers 16-19; and a different coloration (having 3 pairs of dark broad bands on upper lip; curved black band on front of underside of chin; medium-sized orange-red irregular spots on entire dorsal surface of head; small irregular spots densely covering nape and dorsal surface of body; row of faint red blotches, on paler background, along body axis; caudal fin with two black longitudinally elongate bars on anterior half, black spots on upper and lower thirds, central third of posterior) .: elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Whitebelly sandperch is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 18 - 31 m . Tropical South Africa; including Zanzibar.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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