| Family: |
Pinguipedidae (Sandperches) |
| Max. size: |
18 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 41.9 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: from Maldives to the Pitcairn group, north to the Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Throughout Oceania except Hawaii and Easter Island (Ref. 42740). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-21; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 16-17. Recognized by the busy blotched pattern over the back, close-set series of brown to orange blotches behind the eyes on top of the head, and white blotch on the tail (Ref. 48636). No row of small blackish spots in outer third of anal fin. Males with an ocellated black spot above opercle next to upper end of gill opening (female with a smaller dark brown spot at this location) (Ref 42740). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits seaward reefs, usually on patches of rubble or pavement between corals. Also found in habitats with rubble and rock (Ref. 48636) solitary or in small groups (Ref. 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 April 2022 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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