Paraxenisthmus cerberusi Winterbottom & Gill, 2006
Paraxenisthmus cerberusi
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Xenisthmidae (Collared wrigglers)
Max. size:  2.07 cm SL (male/unsexed); 2.08 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 12 - 26 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Palau.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Diagnosis: Distinguished from its congeners in having 15-16 pectoral fin-rays (vs. 18); cephalic lateralis pore P absent (vs. present); head, nape, ventral abdomen, and dorsal midline of caudal peduncle naked (vs. scaled); and caudal peduncle with a large, black blotch (vs. none) (Ref. 56733).
Biology:  Small, sand-diving gobioids; inhabits drop-off with caves and ledges, silty sandy shelves and slopes, with hydroids, sea fans and a variety of hard corals and some Halimeda (Ref. 56733).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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