Siphamia spinicola Gon & Allen, 2012
Reef siphonfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 5 - 20 m,
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Federated States of Micronesia (Ref. 90035).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Dorsal rays VII+I,9; anal rays II,8; pectoral rays 14-16; tubed lateral-line scales 14-21; median predorsal scales 4-5; total gill rakers 2-4 + 9-11 = 12-14; developed gill rakers 1 + 8-9; gill rakers on ceratobranchial 7-8. Body depth 2.4-2.7 in SL and body width 1.8-2.2 in the depth; eye diameter 2.8-3.4 in head length; first dorsal spine 2.5-3.25 in second spine; second dorsal spine 4.15-5.5, spine of second dorsal fin 3.5-4.6, and second anal spine 5.5-6.1, all in head length; pectoral-fin length 4.4-5.4 and pelvic-fin length 4.1-5.3 in SL; caudal-peduncle length 1.3-1.9 in distance between pelvic spine insertion and anal-fin origin. Preopercular edge with 19-32 small serrations; preopercular ridge smooth. Tip of light organ on each side of tongue bound by membrane (Ref. 90035).
Biology:  Inhabits coral reefs in 5-20 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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