Collected from sand or sand and rubble substrata in both lagoon and seaward reef areas. Large and easily approached. Apparently a protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 48238).

Eastern Central Pacific: Kiribati. Appears to be endemic to this part of the Pacific.

Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 17; Vertebrae: 30

21.2 cm SL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 48238)); 14.32 cm SL (female)

Predorsal scales about 15. Small and cycloid scales on cheek; on body ctenoid. No serrae or spines on edges of opercular bones except a single stout spine on opercle. Body elongate, depth 5.7-6.2 in SL; whitish with 8 narrow dark bars, all but first and last broadly expanded dorsally to a Y-shape. Body cylindrical anteriorly, the width slightly greater than depth. Third or 4th dorsal spines longest; membrane of 5th dorsal spine connected directly across from spine tip to first soft ray. Caudal fin slightly rounded, upper corner projecting as a short, broad-based filament in adults. Mouth slightly oblique, the lower jaw projecting.

Paratype for Parapercis lata Randall
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Collector(s): J. Randall
Year Collected: 1987
Locality: Line Islands, Kiritimati (Christmas Island), NE Side Off Captain Cook Hotel, Outer Reef, Rubble and Sand, Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati, Line Islands, Pacific
Depth (m): 55 to 55

demersal; marine; depth range 6 - 55 m (Ref. 48238)

Not Evaluated