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Caracanthus maculatus (Gray, 1831) Spotted coral croucher |
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photo by
Allen, G.R. |
| Family: | Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Caracanthinae | |||
| Max. size: | 5 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 15 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: East Indies to the Line, Marquesan, and Austral Islands, north to southern Japan. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Coloration is tan to light gray covered with numerous small reddish-brown spots and has a notched dorsal fin. Description: Characterized by having single small spine at lower anterior edge of lacrimal; depth of body about 1.7 in SL (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits shallow reef crests, usually exposed to moderate surge (Ref. 48635). Common among the branches of pocilloporid corals (e.g. Pocillopora eydouxi, Stylophora mordax) and some species of Acropora. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 March 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||