| Family: |
Malacanthidae (Tilefishes) |
| Max. size: |
16 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 42 - 60 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Indonesia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-12; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species differs from its congeners by the following characters: fewer lateral-line scales; reddish-brown bars on the side about 15 to 17; behind the eye is an obliquely angled, blue-edged yellow-orange stripe; across the operculum a thin blue stripe; across the entire caudal peduncle, a neon blue region; vivid red central caudal fin-rays (Ref. 75884).
Description: Preopercular serrae 14-19; greatest depth of body 3.5-3.7 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
The areas of occurrence are exposed to periodic strong currents with about 15 individuals observed on gentle rubble slopes at depths of 42-60 m; seen solitarily, in pairs, or trios and generally in close proximity to large rubble mounds (estimated to range from 50-60 cm in height and 1.8-2 m in diameter. When approached too closely or frightened by spear shots, the fish quickly retreated into their burrow which are at the apex of the mound (Ref. 75884). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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