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Flathead perch (Rainfordia opercularis) — Serranidae

Flathead perch

Rainfordia opercularis
Family: Serranidae

The Flathead perch (Rainfordia opercularis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The flathead perch is a small reef basslet (Serranidae) endemic to the waters around Australia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, orange-red body with fine blue longitudinal lines and a flattened head. As a secretive reef-dweller it lives in caves, crevices and under overhangs of coral and rocky reefs and snaps at small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flathead perch?

The Flathead perch has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Flathead perch live?

The Flathead perch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Flathead perch get?

The Flathead perch grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Flathead perch dangerous to humans?

No, the Flathead perch is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Platkop-juweelbaars sourced
English name
Flathead perch sourced
Scientific name
Rainfordia opercularis
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Flathead perch; Rainfordia; Rainford's perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Serranidae

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