Goniistius francisi (Burridge, 2004)
Blacktip morwong

Family:  Latridae (Trumpeters)
Max. size:  27.37 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 6 - 88 m
Distribution:  Pacific: Lord Howe Is., Lord Howe Rise, Middleton Reef, and the Kermadec Is.; probably misidentified as C. vittatus from New Caledonia and Norfolk I., based on live photographs, and Elizabeth Reef on visual observations.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 31-34; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters (paratypes): D XVI,31 (XVI-XVII, 31-34, usually XVII,33); A III, 8; 62 lateral line scales (64-66, usually 64); gill rakers 6+14 (5-6+15-16, often 5+15); body depth 2.83 in SL (2.57-2.76); pelvic fins reaching but not extending past the anus, 5.55 in SL (4.55-5.81); anterior on maxilla and prefrontal have prominent bony knobs; distinct dark diagonal bands, 3 on head, 1 on anterior origin of the dorsal fin to the pelvic fin, 1 behind the 4th dorsal spine to the lower lobe of the caudal fin; upper lobe of caudal fin with black tip (Ref. 76788).
Biology:  Inhabits coral reef and rocky reef (Ref. 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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