Waigieu seaperch
📖 Overview
Inhabits rocky or coral reefs, frequently in weedy areas, usually in holes and crevices by day. Enters estuaries . Forages on fishes and crustaceans at night . Mainly marketed fresh. In Hong Kong sold live in fish markets .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 14. This species is distinguished from Psammoperca datnioides by the following set of characters: Colouration: when alive, the head and body brownish dark and often golden in colour; pored lateral-line scales yellow-edged; and similar yellowish brown colour in preserved specimens; lower counts of pored lateral line scales 46-48; hind margin of maxilla reaching slightly short of hind margin of eye when mouth closed; tiny scales that are not seen with naked eye, but visible through binocular scope, on the posterior uppermost part of maxilla; pelvic-fin spine subequal to 4th dorsal spine; circumpeduncular scale 21-22; moderately lesser body depth, 32-36% (mean 36%) of SL; lower counts, 5½ / 7½-9½ scale rows above and below lateral line; gill rakers 7 (including 6 rudiments) + 1 + 11 (including 3 rudiments) = 19 (9 rudiments); last dorsal-fin spine / penultimate dorsal-fin spine 1.5-1.7 .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Waigieu seaperch is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 12 m . Tropical West Pacific: Bay of Bengal, Indo-Australian Archipelago and northern Australia to the Philippines, China Sea and Japan (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Waigieu seaperch is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 140 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Waigieu seaperch has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | sand perch · Waigeu sea perch |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Akamemodoki · アカメモドキ |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 沙鱸 · 紅目 · 紅目鱸 · 紅眼沙鱸 · 紅眼鱸 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cnidon chinensis | Müller & Troschel | 1849 | Synonym |
| Labrax waigiensis | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Psammoperca datnioides | Richardson | 1848 | Synonym |
| Psammoperca waigensis | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 7 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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