Pseudoplesiops rosae Schultz, 1943
Rose Island basslet
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks), subfamily: Pseudoplesiopinae
Max. size:  2.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Maldives to Samoa, north the Yaeyama Islands (Ryukyu Islands), south to northwestern Australia and the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-23; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 13-14. Has a red eye and orange head becoming brown on the body (Ref. 37816). Description: Characterized by having reddish iris; distinctive thin dark margin posteriorly on eye; dorsal and anal fins with thin bluish margin; single lateral-line scale; greatest depth of body 3.6-3.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in inshore reefs and in caves with rich invertebrate growth in walls (Ref. 48635); feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 1602). Cryptic and seldom seen (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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