Xenisthmus semicinctus Gill & Hoese, 2004
Halfbelt wriggler

Family:  Xenisthmidae (Collared wrigglers)
Max. size:  1.94 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 2 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Rowley Shoals, Western Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 27-27. A species of Xenisthmus with the following combination of characters: second dorsal-fin rays I,12; A I, 11; vertebrae 10 + 17; indented tongue; well-developed flap on anterior rim of posterior naris; 12 large, closely spaced spots on upper sides of body, each connecting dorsally to, or almost to, mid-line by short, brown to dark brown bar; predorsal area broadly scaled to just behind vertical through posterior edge of preopercle, with narrow median wedge of scales extending further forward almost to pore D (Ref. 59014).
Biology:  A benthic, inshore species found in coral reefs (Ref. 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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