Caracanthus maculatus (Gray, 1831)
Spotted coral croucher
Caracanthus maculatus
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


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