| Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Ptereleotrinae |
| 9 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; depth range 25 - 70 m |
| Indo-Pacific: Mauritius to Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-32; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 28-31. Description: Characterized by having violet snout and mid-dorsal stripe on head; anterior body pale grey grading to purplish black on posterior half; caudal fin with broad red lobes and central bluish area; fish from Andaman Islands with more vivid violet and duller red portions; longitudinal scale series 135-160; elevated first dorsal fin, not extending beyond anterior one-third of second dorsal fin; posterior body scales with ctenii, usually less than 10; posterior most rays of dorsal and anal fins frequently branched in adult (Ref. 90102). |
| Found over hard, open bottoms at the bases of reefs and over sand and rubble patches (Ref. 1602); also observed in deep coastal to outer reef drops-offs subject to strong currents (Ref. 48637). Often in pairs (Ref. 1602). Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Feeds on zooplankton, especially copepods and crustacean larvae. Darts into a hole when alarmed (Ref. 1602). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115. |
|
(Ref. 96402)
|
| harmless |
|
