| Pinguipedidae (Sandperches) |
| 17.68 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 200 m |
| Northwest Pacific: Japan. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-21; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 17-17; Vertebrae: 30-30. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D V, 21; A I, 17; pectoral-fin rays 18; lateral-line scales 56/58; canine teeth 4 pairs anteriorly in lower jaw; without palatine teeth; vomer has a row of about 9 stout conical teeth, often followed by a few much smaller teeth; ctenoid scales on body, becoming cycloid on prepelvic but not prepectoral area; cycloid scales on opercle and cheek, those on cheek very small, mainly non-imbricate ventrally; preopercle with smooth margin; body depth 4.85-5.3 in SL; head length 3.15-3.25 in SL; snout length 2.5-2.9 in HL; orbit diameter 3.75-4.45 in HL; interorbital width 5.2-6.9 in HL; fourth dorsal spine is the longest, 4.5-5.35 in HL; caudal fin slightly rounded on ventral half, truncate on dorsal half, has a pointed upper lobe extending about an orbit diameter posterior to central margin of fin; pectoral fins 4.3-5.05 in SL; pelvic fins nearly or just reaching origin of anal fin, 4.7–5.0 in SL; preserved color in alcohol pale yellowish gray, 5 square dusky bars from dark pigment on scale edges on about upper one-fourth of body, a dark brown spot at each lower corner (except first bar with only 1); translucent pale yellowish fins with pale yellow rays, the caudal with a very small dusky spot dorsally on base; fresh color pale orange dorsally, white ventrally, with 5 broad pink bars on body, becoming red ventrally, each with brown spots as described; a broad, oblique red bar on cheek; fins pale yellowish, the dorsal with a faint longitudinal yellow band about half way out in fin; caudal fin with a narrow magenta bar at base containing a small deep purple spot dorsally and a red spot ventrally; pectoral fins has a white bar at base containing an elongate magenta spot; pelvic fins are nearly white (Ref. 75205). |
| The gonad of the smallest paratype, 12.74 cm SL, appears to contain both ovarian and testicular tissue, indicating sex change from female to male. The lack of females is probably due to the larger males being able to take a larger baited hook (Ref. 75205).. |
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Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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