Psammoperca waigiensis (Cuvier, 1828)
Waigieu seaperch
Psammoperca waigiensis
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Latidae (Lates perches)
Max. size:  47 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 3 - 12 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Bay of Bengal, Indo-Australian Archipelago and northern Australia to the Philippines, China Sea and Japan (Ref. 2334). Found in the Mekong delta (Ref. 12693).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 14-14. This species is distinguished from Psammoperca datnioides by the following set of characters: Colouration: when alive, the head and body brownish dark and often golden in colour; pored lateral-line scales yellow-edged; and similar yellowish brown colour in preserved specimens; lower counts of pored lateral line scales 46-48; hind margin of maxilla reaching slightly short of hind margin of eye when mouth closed; tiny scales that are not seen with naked eye, but visible through binocular scope, on the posterior uppermost part of maxilla; pelvic-fin spine subequal to 4th dorsal spine; circumpeduncular scale 21-22; moderately lesser body depth, 32-36% (mean 36%) of SL; lower counts, 5½ / 7½-9½ scale rows above and below lateral line; gill rakers 7 (including 6 rudiments) + 1 + 11 (including 3 rudiments) = 19 (9 rudiments); last dorsal-fin spine / penultimate dorsal-fin spine 1.5-1.7 (Ref. 124584).
Biology:  Inhabits rocky or coral reefs, frequently in weedy areas, usually in holes and crevices by day. Enters estuaries (Ref. 4833). Forages on fishes and crustaceans at night (Ref. 9710). Mainly marketed fresh. In Hong Kong sold live in fish markets (Ref. 27253).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.