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Chequered perchlet (Plectranthias inermis) — Serranidae

Chequered perchlet

Plectranthias inermis
Family: Serranidae

The Chequered perchlet (Plectranthias inermis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
14.0–65.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

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Description

The chequered perchlet is a tiny sea bass (Serranidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to only about 5 cm and has a stocky, red-pink body with a chequered pattern of white blotches. As a cryptic bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices and cavities of coral and rocky reefs and snaps at small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chequered perchlet?

The Chequered perchlet has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Chequered perchlet live?

The Chequered perchlet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

How big does the Chequered perchlet get?

The Chequered perchlet grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Chequered perchlet dangerous to humans?

No, the Chequered perchlet 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

Chequered perchlet (Plectranthias inermis) — Serranidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Chequered perchlet (Plectranthias inermis) — Serranidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Chequered perchlet (Plectranthias inermis) — Serranidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Nat Tarbox (CC BY 2.0)
Chequered perchlet (Plectranthias inermis) — Serranidae — 5
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
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All data

Identification

English name
Chequered perchlet sourced
Scientific name
Plectranthias inermis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Red blotched perchlet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
14.0 verified
Max depth (m)
65.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Christmas I., Fiji, Indonesia, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Philippines sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Plectranthias

More from the family Serranidae

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