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Pearly perchlet (Chelidoperca margaritifera) — Serranidae

Pearly perchlet

Chelidoperca margaritifera
Family: Serranidae

The Pearly perchlet (Chelidoperca margaritifera) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–118 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Japan, New Caledonia, Viet Nam

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Description

The Pearly perchlet is a perchlet (Serranidae) from rocky and coral-reef water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a stocky, often reddish to mottled body with large eyes and broad pectoral fins on which it rests on the bottom. As a bottom-oriented ambush predator it shelters in crevices and under overhangs and snaps at small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pearly perchlet?

The Pearly perchlet has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Pearly perchlet live?

The Pearly perchlet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Japan, New Caledonia, Viet Nam

How big does the Pearly perchlet get?

The Pearly perchlet grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Pearly perchlet dangerous to humans?

No, the Pearly perchlet is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Pearly perchlet (Chelidoperca margaritifera) — Serranidae — 2
M. Weber, 1913 - Die Fische der Siboga-Expedition (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF

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All data

Identification

English name
Pearly perchlet sourced
Scientific name
Chelidoperca margaritifera
Family
Serranidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
118 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Japan, New Caledonia, Viet Nam sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chelidoperca

More from the family Serranidae

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