Magpie perch

Biology

The magpie perch is easily identified by the characteristic pattern of black and white stripes. The adults are seen in small schools scattered by the deep coastal reefs. The young ones live alone in shallow bays, protected by rocks and algae. During the night, it hides in holes. While feeding it swallows great quantities of sand that eventually comes out through its gills. This filtering process is very effective, allowing it to keep the small benthic (i.e., bottom-dwelling) invertebrates it feeds on.

Curiosities

The magpie perch can change colours in a matter of seconds, turning its first black stripe to white and its centre stripe to grey.