Samariscus triocellatus Woods, 1960
Three-spot righteye flounder
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Samaridae (Crested flounders)
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 64-70; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 51-47; Vertebrae: 40-41. Body mottled brown with irregular dark and pale markings; 2-3 dark-edged ocelli along lateral line pectorals blackish distally; dorsal and anal fins with minute black dots; caudal fin with black spots (Ref. 6270). Gill rakers rudimentary (Ref. 1602). Description: Characterized further by having well developed pectoral fin on eyed side with 5 rays, single rudimentary ray on blind side; depth of body 2.4-3.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits coral heads of lagoon and seaward reefs; common in shallow caves or under ledges and can lie flat against vertical rock surfaces (Ref. 1602, 48637). Found in rubble slopes in sand or fine-rubble patches (Ref. 9792). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Comes out at dusk and hunts on low reef. It has low profile and crawls along like a flatworm, but activity waves its black pectoral fin as it goes (Ref. 48637). Feeds on small benthic animals (Ref. 9792).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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