| Family: |
Anthiadidae (Fairy basslets or Streamer basses) |
| Max. size: |
20 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 180 m |
| Distribution: |
Pacific Ocean: Indonesia to Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and the Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean (Ref. 1602) and Christmas Island (Ref. 114977). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-7. Highly variable in color and also in the size of the pale blotch (looks blue in natural light). Latter varied from being totally absent to an area almost half the body size, especially when showing nuptial colors. At the Rowley Shoals, off the north-western Australian coast, it only shows the blotch when nuptial (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by greatest depth of body at 2.4-2.7 in SL; fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip absent in male; prolonged third dorsal spine; lunate caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Aggregations of this species occur a few meters above the edges of current-swept drop-offs (Ref. 4538). Females and males in separate aggregations or mixed sexes (Ref. 48635). Juveniles solitary and remain close to shelter (Ref. 37816). Seldom encountered in the aquarium trade (Ref. 1602). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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