Siphamia brevilux Gon & Allen, 2012
Shortlight siphonfish
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  2.2 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 31 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Papua New Guinea, Madang Province, off Nagada Harbour, lagoon, Tripod Reef (Ref. 90035).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Dorsal rays VII+I,9; anal rays II,8; pectoral rays 12 (rarely 11 or 13); tubed lateral-line scales 0-2; median predorsal scales 5 (one specimen); total gill rakers 3-5 + 9-11 = 13-15; developed gill rakers 1-2 + 8-10 = 9-11; gill rakers on ceratobranchial 7. Body depth 2.3-2.5 in SL and body width 2.1-2.9 in the depth; eye diameter 2.5-3.05 in head length; first dorsal spine 3.1-7.2 in second spine; second dorsal spine 4.2-5.9, spine of second dorsal fin 3.6-4.4, and second anal spine 3.7-5.4, all in head length; pectoral-fin length 3.9-4.6 and pelvic-fin length 4.4-4.9 in SL; caudal-peduncle length 1.3-1.65 in distance between pelvic spine insertion and anal-fin origin. Preopercular edge weakly serrate around angle, with 2-13 (usually 3-7) minute serrations; preopercular ridge smooth. Tip of light organ on each side of tongue bound by membrane. (Ref. 90035).
Biology:  Forms small groups in Diadema sea urchins (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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