Alabes obtusirostris Hutchins & Morrison, 2004
Alabes obtusirostris
photo by Hutchins, B.

Family:  Gobiesocidae (Clingfishes and singleslits), subfamily: Cheilobranchinae
Max. size:  4.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 28 - 65 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Australia.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 70-70. Diagnosis: Pelvic fins absent. Gill slit large. Postocular pore none; anterior, lacrymal, and posterior nasal pores absent. Vertebrae total 70, precaudal 23; last epineural on the 40th vertebra. Caudal rays 8. Dorsal origin posterior to the anus. This species differs from its congeners in having a moderately large gill opening (3.1-4.3 in HL); lack of a pelvic-fin rudiment, absence of all cephalic pores in the lateral-line system, and its large number (40) of epineural ribs. It possesses a short, blunt head with wide lips (giving it a rather pugnacious appearance), and short dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 56640).
Biology:  Collected from coastal (deep) waters where it inhabits sandy bottoms (Ref. 56640).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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