Symphurus microrhynchus (Weber, 1913)

Family:  Cynoglossidae (Tonguefishes), subfamily: Symphurinae
Max. size:  7.1 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 82 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific Ocean: Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 87-87; Anal soft rays: 73-73; Vertebrae: 48-48. This species is distinguished from all congeners by the combination of: ID pattern1-2-2-2-2; caudal-fin rays 12; vertebrae; 9 (3 + 6) abdominal, 48 total; hypurals 4; D 87, A 73; longitudinal scale rows 64; transverse scale rows 25; scale rows on the head posterior to the lower orbit 15; body elongate (BD = 24.9% of SL); preanal length long (PAL = 28.1% of SL); upper head lobe much smaller than lower lobe; head long (HL = 24.2% of SL), longer than head width (HW/HL = 0.97); postorbital length long (POL = 76.5% of HL); snout short (SNL = 10.4% of HL, SNL/ED = 1.25), slightly rounded anteriorly; dorsal-fin origin located at the vertical posterior to upper eye; predorsal length short (PDL = 18.1% of HL); eye is relatively small (ED = 8.4% of HL); eyes are unequal in position with anterior margin of upper eye greatly in advance of anterior margin of lower eye; fleshy ridge well developed on posterior part of ocular-side lower jaw; membrane covering upper and lower eyes; with continuous, fleshy membrane connecting anterior nostril with lower part of eye. Colouration: ocular-side pigmentation uniformly yellowish-brown; blind-side pigmentation uniformly yellow; both sides with obvious dermal spots on bases of anteriormost dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 126065).
Biology:  Presumably frequents coastal lagoons with sandy bottom. More studies are needed concerning the ecology of this species.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 October 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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