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Blacktail grubfish (Parapercis hexophtalma) — Pinguipedidae

Blacktail grubfish

Parapercis hexophtalma
Family: Pinguipedidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blacktail grubfish (Parapercis hexophtalma) is a saltwater fish of the family Pinguipedidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
29 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The speckled sandperch is a sandperch (Pinguipedidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 28 cm and has an elongate body with a flattened head and a net-like pattern of spots; males have a conspicuous dark cheek blotch. It inhabits sand and rubble bottoms of shallow lagoons and protected seaward reefs, where it props itself on the bottom with its pectoral fins and lies on the lookout. As a small bottom predator it springs on small crustaceans, worms and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacktail grubfish?

The Blacktail grubfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blacktail grubfish live?

The Blacktail grubfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blacktail grubfish get?

The Blacktail grubfish grows to a maximum of about 29 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Blacktail grubfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacktail grubfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blacktail grubfish edible?

The Blacktail grubfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gespikkelde zandbaars sourced
English name
Blacktail grubfish verified
Scientific name
Parapercis hexophtalma
Family
Pinguipedidae
Other names
Black-tail grubfish; Blacktail sandmelt; Grubfish; Ocellated grubfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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