| Carapidae (Pearlfishes), subfamily: Carapinae |
| 10 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine |
| Eastern Indian Ocean: restricted to western Australia. |
|
Eel-like, shallow to moderate body depth; adults small, less than 100 mm, trunk compressed; 1 to several large symphyseal fangs on premaxilla and dentary; anterior swim bladder modified into 'rockerbone'; predorsal bone present; pectoral fin rays supported by numerous small distal radials (Ref. 34024). Precaudal vertebrae 18-20; relatively short and deep bodied (Ref. 34024). |
| Uncommon species (Ref. 34024) inhabiting coastal waters. Found in the mantle cavity of pearl oysters (Pinctada spp.) and other large bivalves (Ref. 1602) as well as in holothurians (Ref. 7300). It feeds on crustaceans and polychaetes and is reported to tend towards sexual pairing in the host (Ref. 1602). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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