| Family: |
Tetrarogidae (Wasp fishes) |
| Max. size: |
15 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 1 - 78 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific: Andaman Sea to Fiji, north to Japan, south to Australia. Replaced by Ablabys binotatus in the western Indian Ocean (Ref. 9710). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 17-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-7; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 4-5. Description: Characterized by having variable color, brown or grey to brownish red, finely flecked with white; snout and forehead abruptly white; dorsal rays membranes not incised; second dorsal spine longest, almost as long as head length; spinous portion of dorsal fin held fully erect; two spines on lacrimal directed posteriorly; depth of body 2.6-2.8 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits shallow, subtidal areas with sand rubble and weed (Ref. 9710). A strongly compressed fish that can be seen rocking back and forth on the bottom in response to surge. Easily caught with small hand nets. Nocturnal (Ref. 48635). Solitary or in pairs (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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