Mostly observed singly, and occasionally in small groups.
Feeds mainly on fishes.
When stressed or harassed, may secrete a slimy skin toxin, grammistin,. Experiment showed that when confined in small volume of water, this toxin can be lethal to other fish species. (*note)
*Note:
One D. bifasciatum, 158 mm in standard length, was agitated in 800 ml of seawater for 5 minutes. Five adults of Japanese rice fish, Oryzias latipes, were then placed in this water. They showed immediate motor excitation and died within 15 minutes. Although a fresh- water species, O. latipes, can ordinarily survive in seawater for at least a day.
Description
Body colouration pale to bright yellow.
Two prominent dark brown to blackish vertical bars on sides, one through eye and a broader one across middle of the body.
Postflexion larval body yellow with long, remarkable elongate dorsal filaments (the second and third dorsal fin spines), reaching lengths longer than the body. No dark bars.
Common Name: Barred soapfish, Two-banded sea-perch
