Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 30 m (Ref. 93839). Tropical
Indo-Pacific: Japan south to northwestern Australia; Indonesia east to Solomon Islands; reported from New Zealand (Ref. 5755) and Andaman Island (Ref. 87596).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 12.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 48635)
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8. Juveniles strongly striped. Adults with faint stripes, but tall anteriorly pointed second dorsal fin. Sometimes has dark peduncular spot which can be turned on or off with mood (Ref. 48635).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
Inhabits inshore reefs, crevices of reef flats and coral slopes (Ref. 9710). Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300). Solitary (Ref 90102).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).
Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen and J.E. Hanley, 1989. Pisces. Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Vol. 7. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 p. (Ref. 7300)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources