Ostichthys acanthorhinus Randall, Shimizu & Yamakawa, 1982
Spinesnout soldierfish
Ostichthys acanthorhinus
photo by Govinda Rao, V.. & N. Muddula Krishna

Family:  Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes, soldierfishes), subfamily: Myripristinae
Max. size:  11.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 200 - 600 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: northern Indian Ocean from the Arabian Sea to Myanmar, including the Red Sea; throughout Indonesia to the northern coast of Australia.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following characters: scales above lateral line to midbase of spinous portion of dorsal fin 3½; anterior end of each the nasal bone with a sharp forward-directed spine; presence of a spine at corner of preoperculum; dorsal profile of head uniformly convex; pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17 (usually 16); lateral-line scales modally 29; gill rakers 10-12 + 16-18; last dorsal-fin spine is slightly longer than penultimate spine; depth of body 2.0-2.1 in SL; head length 2.2-2.3 in SL; snout short, 5.15-6.0 in HL; least depth of caudal peduncle 4.6-5.05 in HL; colour when fresh entirely red without white markings (Ref. 114923).
Biology:  Found on the continental shelf and continental slope (Ref. 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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