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Pelates quadrilineatus (Bloch, 1790) Fourlined terapon |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Terapontidae (Grunters or tigerperches) | |||
| Max. size: | 30 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan, New Guinea and Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819). Reported from Vanuatu (Ref. 13300). Migrated to the Mediterranean from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal (Ref. 5385). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Generally silver in color, with 4-6 dark horizontal lines; a black blotch behind head and below dorsal origin and another in front of dorsal fin may be present; caudal fin pale or slightly dusky (Ref. 4327). | |||
| Biology: | Are coastal species often found in brackish waters; common in estuaries. They croak when taken from the water. Usually forming schools. Juveniles in seagrass beds and in mangrove bays (Ref. 48635). Feed on small fishes and invertebrates. Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 127989. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
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