| Family: |
Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Ptereleotrinae |
| Max. size: |
9 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 25 - 100 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Mauritius to Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-32; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 28-31. Description: Characterized by having violet snout and mid-dorsal stripe on head; anterior body pale grey grading to purplish black on posterior half; caudal fin with broad red lobes and central bluish area; fish from Andaman Islands with more vivid violet and duller red portions; longitudinal scale series 135-160; elevated first dorsal fin, not extending beyond anterior one-third of second dorsal fin; posterior body scales with ctenii, usually less than 10; posterior most rays of dorsal and anal fins frequently branched in adult (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Often occurs on deep outer coastal to outer reef drops-offs subject to moderate to strong currents (Refs. 48637, 95112). Found over hard, open bottoms at the bases of reefs and over sand and rubble patches (Refs. 1602, 95112). Often in pairs (Refs. 1602, 95112). Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Feeds on zooplankton, especially copepods and crustacean larvae. Darts into a hole when alarmed (Ref. 1602). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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