Aioliops novaeguineae Rennis & Hoese, 1987
New guinea minidartfish
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Ptereleotrinae
Max. size:  2.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Description: Characterized by semi-translucent pale grey body; yellowish snout and top of head; presence of thin black stripe from upper head to dorsal edge of caudal peduncle; yellow to white internal stripe along vertebral column; lower edge of side with diffuse blackish stripe; large black spot edged dorsally with yellow on basal half of caudal fin; scaled body; three opercular pores; gill membrane attached below posterior preopercular margin; caudal peduncle about 22.0% of SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in small aggregations above coral thickets; inhabits sheltered shoreline and lagoon reefs in 2-10 m (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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