| Family: |
Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Ptereleotrinae |
| Max. size: |
9 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 70 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Pitcairn islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands; throughout Micronesia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-32; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 27-30. Description: Characterized by pale grey to whitish anterior body; yellow snout; posterior body, red; pale yellow dorsal pennant; longitudinal scale series 110-130; extremely elongate first dorsal fin, extending beyond anterior one-third of second dorsal fin; posterior body scales with ctenii, usually more than 12; depth of body 4.4-4.9 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits upper portions of outer reef slopes (Ref. 1602). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Hovers above the bottom, facing the current to feed on zooplankton, copepods, and crustacean larvae. Several individuals may share the same hole (especially juveniles). Has a habit of flicking its pennant-like first dorsal fin back and forth (Ref. 1602, 48637). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797. Monogamous (Ref. 52884). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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