| Dactyloscopidae (Sand stargazers) |
| 4.14 cm SL (male/unsexed); 4 cm SL (female) |
|
demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 2 m |
| Southwest Atlantic: Brazil. |
|
Diagnosis: The dorsal finlet is fan-like and 3-spined, its height more than half of predorsal length, 58-84% (vs. 4-spined in P. smithi, low profile in P. rubrocinctus); first 2 spines of finlet more closely spaced than the 2nd and 3rd. Lateral line deflection is usually located below interspace between 14th and 15th dorsal fin elements. Upper lip fimbriae more numerous than those of lower lip. Base of pectoral fin usually naked or rarely with a single scale on its upper portion (Ref. 56973). |
| Known from shallow reefs; inhabits the margins of sand flats in small caves and below reef walls at depths of 1 to 6 meters; these areas are deposits of coarse gravel largely composed of f fragments of mollusc shells, crustaceans, corals, calcareous algae and sea urchin skeletons and spines. Found buried in the gravel, with just the eyes and the dorsal finlet exposed; it appears to 'swim' in the gravel; solitary or in groups. Associates with other sand-dwelling fishes such as Dactyloscopus tridigitatus, D. crossotus, Gillellus greyae, and toadfish Thallasophynne punctata; also an unidentified shrimp and juveniles of crabs (Callinectes sp.). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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