Lyretail Grubfish, Parapercis schauinslandii (Steindachner, 1900)

Introduction

The Lyretail Grubfish has eight or nine red to dark brown spots on the back and red blotches on the sides of the body. It is usually found on rubbly and sandy bottoms in coral reefs and inshore waters.

Identification

The Lyretail Grubfish has an emarginate to lunate caudal fin. There are eight or nine red to dark brown spots on the back and red blotches on the sides of the body. The first dorsal fin is black basally and red distally, the second dorsal fin has a row of black spots along the middle of the fin. There are two red bars on the pectoral fin base.

Habitat

It is usually found on rubbly and sandy bottoms in coral reefs and inshore waters at depths from about 10 m to 50 m.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-west and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and northern Queensland to northern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
2. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
3. Randall, J.E. 2001 Pinguipedidae (= Parapercidae, Mugiloididae). Sandperches. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 6. Bony Fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes and marine mammals. FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-v, 3381-4218.