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Pearl perch (Glaucosoma magnificum) — Glaucosomatidae

Pearl perch

Glaucosoma magnificum

The Pearl perch (Glaucosoma magnificum) is a saltwater fish of the family Glaucosomatidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
32 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern Australia; continental shelf near reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The threadfin pearl perch is a pearl perch (Glaucosomatidae) from the temperate to tropical waters of northern Australia. The species has a deep, silvery body with large eyes and, in young animals, thread-like trailing fin tips, to which the name refers. It lives on the continental shelf, often at moderate depth near submerged reefs and trawlable bottoms. As a bottom predator it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pearl perch?

The Pearl perch has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large eyes and thread-like fin tips in juveniles; bottom predator and valued food fish.

Where does the Pearl perch live?

The Pearl perch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern Australia; continental shelf near reefs.

How big does the Pearl perch get?

The Pearl perch grows to a maximum of about 32 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Pearl perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Pearl perch is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Pearl perch edible?

Yes, the Pearl perch is commonly eaten.

More photos

Pearl perch (Glaucosoma magnificum) — Glaucosomatidae — 2
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Pearl perch (Glaucosoma magnificum) — Glaucosomatidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Markus Stone, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pearl perch (Glaucosoma magnificum) — Glaucosomatidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — jon hanson from london, UK (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Pearl perch (Glaucosoma magnificum) — Glaucosomatidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pearl perch verified
Scientific name
Glaucosoma magnificum
Family
Glaucosomatidae
Other names
Threadfin pearl perch; Threadfin pearl-perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern Australia; continental shelf near reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large eyes and thread-like fin tips in juveniles; bottom predator and valued food fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Glaucosoma

More from the family Glaucosomatidae

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