Lepidotrigla longipinnis Alcock, 1890
Stellar gurnard
Lepidotrigla longipinnis
photo by A. Biju Kumar

Family:  Triglidae (Searobins), subfamily: Triglinae
Max. size:  11.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 70 - 107 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: India, Myanmar and Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal soft rays: 15-15; Vertebrae: 30-32. This species can be distinguished from by the following characters: the lateral profile of body with gradual convexly curved taper to caudal peduncle; with a distinctive postorbital notch above and behind each eye but not extending across top of head as occipital groove; when viewed above, rostral process with broad obtuse angle or straight and with prominent forward directed blade-like spine at each corner often mounted on somewhat triangular base; scales are moderately adherent; pored lateral line scales 56-61; scales above lateral line 3 and below 13-15 oblique scale rows; D1 VIII-IX, D2 15-16; A 15 (rarely 14 or 16); pectoral fin reaching fifth to seventh anal fin ray. Colouration: caudal fin mostly red with white transverse band near base; inner surface of pectoral fin with a large black oblong patch ventrally superimposed with scattered pale blue spots, the rest greenish with reddish margins dorsally, ventrally and basally (Ref. 127939).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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