Aploactis aspera (Richardson, 1845)
Dusky velvetfish
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Aploactinidae (Velvetfishes)
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Sagami Bay and Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan southward to China. Also reported from New Caledonia (Ref. 9070) and Australia (Ref. 7300).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-15; Anal spines: -1; Anal soft rays: 11-14. Body almost black and covered with velvety prickles. Preopercle with 5 blunt spines. Attains 10 cm TL.
Biology:  Occurs in inshore waters of the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Inhabits sandy or mud bottoms in shallow waters (Ref. 559 and 637). Neither anterolateral glandular groove nor venom gland is present (Ref. 57406).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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