Spotted grubfish – Parapercis ramsayi

The Spotted Grubfish, Ramsay’s Grubfish, or Spotted Weever, scientifically known as Parapercis ramsayi, is a fish species belonging to the family Pinguipedidae. This fish is characterized by its distinctive spotted appearance, which has earned it its various common names.

Description and Characteristics

Parapercis ramsayi is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 20.0 cm. Its body is elongated and compressed laterally, with a slightly pointed head and a moderately sized mouth. The coloration of this species is highly variable, but it is typically characterized by a brown or reddish-brown background with numerous white or cream-colored spots scattered over its body. These spots can be irregular in shape and size, giving the fish a distinctive, speckled appearance. The fins are generally pale in color, often with a slight yellowish tinge.

Habitat and Occurrence

Parapercis ramsayi is a bottom-dwelling fish that prefers rocky or coral reefs. It is commonly found in depths ranging from 5.0 to 80.0 meters, inhabiting the infralittoral and circalittoral marine zones. This species is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and the East African coast to the Philippines and Australia.

Taxonomy

Parapercis ramsayi belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Pinguipedidae. This family is known for its diverse array of fishes, including the aptly named “grunters” and the “sandperches.” The Order Perciformes is one of the largest and most diverse orders of fish, encompassing a wide range of species including perches, basses, and wrasses. The Class Teleostei represents the vast majority of bony fishes, exhibiting a high degree of adaptation to various marine and freshwater environments.

Feeding

Parapercis ramsayi is a carnivorous fish, primarily feeding on zoobenthos and zooplankton. Zoobenthos refers to the organisms that live on the bottom of the ocean, including crustaceans, worms, and mollusks. Zooplankton are microscopic organisms that drift in the water column, including copepods, krill, and jellyfish. This diet reflects the fish’s bottom-dwelling habits and its ability to forage both on the seabed and in the water column.