Aulacocephalus temminckii Bleeker, 1855
Goldribbon soapfish
Aulacocephalus temminckii
photo by Trevor, M.

Family:  Liopropomatidae (Painted basslets), subfamily: Diploprioninae
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 20 - 350 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and South Africa (Ref. 4326) to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. One specimen from Rapa (Ref. 4326).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Body deep blue in color with a yellow band from snout through eye and along back to caudal fin (Ref. 4326).
Biology:  Inhabits caves and crevices in rocky reefs (Ref. 9710). Skin contains grammistin which imparts a bitter taste. The amount of toxin produced increases when the fish is frightened (Ref. 4326). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 09710.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  poisonous to eat


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.