Speckled sandperch
Parapercis hexophtalma
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Speckled sandperch
- Scientific
- Parapercis hexophtalma
- Dhivehi
- ލައްނިގޫ އަލަތަނޑުLah nigoo alathandu
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 29 cm (total length); commonly 18 cm (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives common to 18 cm; max. 26 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 2 to 22 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2022
Description
A slender sandperch, light greenish brown speckled with brown above and white below, with a row of small yellow-edged black spots along the lower side and a large black spot on the tail. It rests propped on its pelvic fins on sand and rubble, ambushing small fish and crustaceans. Males and females differ in head markings. It is an Indian Ocean species.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name lah nigoo alathandu (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is fairly common on Maldivian reef flats.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Parapercis-hexophtalma.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- fishbase.se /comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=7866&GenusName=Parapercis&SpeciesName
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ލައްނިގޫ_އަލަތަނޑު
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Arenal_moteado_(Parapercis_hexophtalma),_parque_nacional_Ra
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Lah nigoo alathandu' (Latin form). FishBase (country: Maldives) agrees: 'Alathandu'. Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ލައްނިގޫ އަލަތަނޑު' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Sudung' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.