| Family: |
Malacanthidae (Tilefishes) |
| Max. size: |
45 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 65 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and Kenya east to Hawaiian Islands, Fanning Islands and Samoa; northward to Japan south to Australia. Apparently not found off New Zealand (Ref. 8991). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 43-47; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 37-40. Description: Characterized by blue head; back, bluish to grey color with undulating pale lines; ventral parts white; mid lateral stripe extending to caudal fin, broad black; juveniles mainly black with white stripe on back that extends to caudal fin; smooth margin of preopercle (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Found on outer reef slopes, hovering above the bottom. They swim often high above the substrate to pick prey from the substrate with their excellent eyesight (Ref. 48635). Tends to swim away from its pursuer rather than enter its burrow (Ref. 1602). Solitary or in pairs (Ref. 9710), adults form monogamous pairs (Ref. 37816). Maximum depth from Ref. 027115. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 August 2023 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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