| Family: |
Grammistidae (Soapfishes) |
| Max. size: |
20.3 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 60 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California (rare at Puerto Peñasco) to northern Peru. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-28; Anal soft rays: 14-18; Vertebrae: 24-24. Sides of body heavily marked with well-defined cream spots on dark background, extending onto head, cheeks and median fins; larger spots frequently ocellated; belly with articulated pattern, cream stripe on nape; dark band running laterally from lips to eye and continuing posteriorly to blend into background anterior to dorsal fin. Body and head, excluding lips and maxillary, with embedded scales. Dorsal spines 2 (rarely 3). Lower jaw not much projecting, lacking fleshy protuberance. Juvenile and adult with 4 large, distinct oval pores along preopercular margin and 4 pairs on ventral surface of lower jaw, except in > 6.5 cm SL specimens, most posterior pair may be divided into a few smaller pores (Ref. 40934). |
| Biology: |
Little is known about this shy and secretive species. It lies motionless, often on its side, hidden in dark recesses on rocky reefs and along walls during the day. Actively hunts at night, preying on small fish (Ref. 5227). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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