| Family: |
Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Microdesminae |
| Max. size: |
15 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Marquesan and Society islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef. Record from Mauritius (Ref. 9408) requires verification (Ref. 33390). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 21-22; Dorsal soft rays (total): 39-42; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 38-43. Description: Characterized by generally pale greyish body color; presence of small black spot posteriorly on opercle; head with iridescent blue stripe mid-dorsally, and sometimes with yellow to orange lateral stripe; head without scales; origin of dorsal fin slightly anterior to level of upper end of gill opening; slightly rounded to rhomboid caudal fin; depth of body 10-13 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits coastal sand slopes, subject to strong currents (Ref. 48637). Found over open sandy areas, sometimes with sparse plant growth. Solitary. Feeds on small benthic and pelagic crustaceans (Ref. 1602). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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