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Black dotted sandperch (Parapercis millepunctata) — Pinguipedidae

Black dotted sandperch

Parapercis millepunctata
Family: Pinguipedidae

The Black dotted sandperch (Parapercis millepunctata) is a saltwater fish of the family Pinguipedidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–50.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cook Is. and others

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Description

The black dotted sandperch is a sandperch (Pinguipedidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an elongate, pale body densely covered with small dark spots and a few saddle blotches, and props on its pectoral fins on the bottom. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and rubble bottoms of shallow reefs and snaps at small crustaceans, small fish and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black dotted sandperch?

The Black dotted sandperch has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Black dotted sandperch live?

The Black dotted sandperch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cook Is. and others

How big does the Black dotted sandperch get?

The Black dotted sandperch grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Black dotted sandperch dangerous to humans?

No, the Black dotted sandperch is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Black dotted sandperch (Parapercis millepunctata) — Pinguipedidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Black dotted sandperch (Parapercis millepunctata) — Pinguipedidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rainer Kretzberg (CC BY 3.0)
Black dotted sandperch (Parapercis millepunctata) — Pinguipedidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Ahmed Abdul Rahman (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Black dotted sandperch (Parapercis millepunctata) — Pinguipedidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) cccrll, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Black dotted sandperch sourced
Scientific name
Parapercis millepunctata
Family
Pinguipedidae
Other names
Black-dotted sandperch; Manyspotted sandperch; Sandperch; Spotted grubfish; Thousand-spot grubfish; Black dotted sand perch; Spotted sandperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cook Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Parapercis

More from the family Pinguipedidae

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