Chelidoperca stella Matsunuma & Motomura, 2016
Star-spotted perchlet
Chelidoperca stella
photo by Motomura, H.

Family:  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Max. size:  7.23 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 58 - 66 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Andaman Sea; north to China, Gulf of Tonkin and south to the Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. This species is distinguished from its congeners by having the following set of characters: 15 pectoral-fin rays; 34 (or 35) pored lateral-line scales; 35 (36-37) scale rows in longitudinal series; 2.5 scale rows between lateral line and sixth dorsal-fin spine base; 33 (37 in right side) (35-43) preopercular serrae; 7 (8) (7-10) interopercular serrae; 21 (19) (18-28) subopercular serrae;; interorbital scales slightly extending anteriorly, it is almost reaching or slightly beyond level of mid-orbit; relatively wide interorbital region, width 3.1-3.7 (mean 3.3) % SL; length of longest anal-fin soft ray is moderate, 17.4-18.7 (18.1) % SL; colour of pelvic fin white with several small yellow spots; no longitudinal dark bands on body sides (Ref. 116920).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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