Pseudochromis tigrinus Allen & Erdmann, 2012
Tiger dottyback
Pseudochromis tigrinus
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks), subfamily: Pseudochrominae
Max. size:  5.08 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 42 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean, Andaman Is.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-27; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-15. This species is distinguished by the following characters: strong sexual dichromatism with colour of female light grey with yellow dorsal fin; male mainly white body color with 10-11 narrow black bars on side, forehead, upper back and dorsal fin bright yellow; palatine tooth patches more or less joined with posterolateral arms of vomerine tooth patch; scales in lateral series 37-40; circumpeduncular scales 16; pelvic-fin rays I,5; D III,25-27; A III,15; pectoral fin rays 18; upper procurrent caudal fin rays 6, lower procurrent caudal fin rays 6, total caudal fin rays 29 (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits steep coral covered slope exposed to strong currents and frequent cold-water upwellings. Young individuals were associated with larger coral rubble pieces where they would hide and adults were with deep labyrinthine burrow under larger coral outcrops. Adults usually seen in pairs sharing the same burrow (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.