Sandperches are members of Pinguipedidae family. They live mainly on open sedimentary or rubble bottoms, some in the vicinity of reefs, others on mud substrata. They usually rest upon the bottom, propping themselves on their pelvic fins. They can be recognized by having elongate, with a long dorsal fin with 4 or 5 spines and 20 to 24 soft rays. Their pelvic fin insertion is below or before pectoral base. Most sandperches are distinctively though rarely brightly colored.
All sandperches are carnivorous, feeding principally on benthic crustaceans, especially crabs and shrimps, occasionally on small fishes. They are easily approached, in general, underwater.
There are 7 genera and about 90 species of sandperches worldwide. Malaysia has 2 genera and about 10 species.
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Scientific Name: Parapercis xanthozona (Bleeker, 1849) English Name: Yellowbar Sandperch Mandarin Name: 红带拟鲈 (Hóng dài nǐ lú), 狗二魚 (Gǒu èr yú) Local Malay Name: Ikan Belukor, Gendang, Marabahan, Haruan-laut Ekor Tompok Putih Main Diagnostic Features: Midlateral white stripe on body extending nearly to end of caudal fin where bordered above and below by black spots. Size: Maximum total length about 23 cm.  |