Rhinolepadichthys polyastrous (Fujiwara & Motomura, 2021)
Starry clingfish

Family:  Gobiesocidae (Clingfishes and singleslits), subfamily: Diademichthyinae
Max. size:  3.09 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 9 - 32 m
Distribution:  Southwestern Indian Ocean: Mozambique and South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinguished from other members of the Lepadichthys lineatus. complex by the following set of characters: body comparatively slender, its depth 10.8-14.9 (mean 13.1) % SL; adhesive disc elliptical, its length 17.0-20.6 (18.7) and width 11.6-13.9 (12.9) % SL, ratio of length to width 1.26-1.61; anus positioned somewhat anteriorly, the pre-anus length and disc to anus length 62.0-68.3 (65.8) and 21.6- 28.9 (25.8) % SL, respectively; snout tip is directed downward, usually horizontally level with lower margin of eye (lateral view); abdomen with a single yellow stripe along the ventral midline; dorsal and lateral surfaces of body with yellow dots, forming c. six to eight and three to five longitudinal rows, respectively (Ref. 129525),
Biology:  Partially digested crinoid pinnules were found in the stomach of a specimen suggesting a diet of L. polyastrous similar to that of L. lineatus (Ref. 129525).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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