Halidesmus scapularis Günther, 1872
Snakelet
Halidesmus scapularis
photo by SFSA

Family:  Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks), subfamily: Congrogadinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 16 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: False Bay, Cape Province to Coffee Bay, Transkei in southeastern Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 58-63; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 48-52; Vertebrae: 66-69. Light to dark brown with color, sometimes with dusky crossbars (Ref. 4395). Middle lateral line joining with the dorsal lateral line just above the pectoral fin base; midline of parietal canal with a single pore; dark spot above pectoral fin (Ref. 531). Pelvic fin rarely absent; dorsal and anal fin membranes united only basally to caudal fin (Ref. 49841).
Biology:  Common in intertidal pools and marginal subtidal areas (Ref. 4395).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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