Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Microdesmidae (Wormfishes) > Ptereleotrinae
Etymology: Ptereleotris: Greek, pteron = wing, fin + The name of a Nile fish, eleotris (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Randall & Lubbock.
Issue
Issue on validity of subspecies: the subspecies Ptereleotris grammica melanota Randall & Lubock, 1982 is synonymized with the species Ptereleotris grammica Randall & Lubock, 1982 in FB, but is elevated to species rank as Ptereleotris melanota Randall & Lubock, 1982 in Eschmeyer (CofF ver. May 2011: Ref. 86870). The species page will be created in the future. Please send references, or more studies are needed.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 30 - 60 m (Ref. 90102), usually 30 - 50 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 22°C - 27°C (Ref. 27115); 45°N - 45°S
Indo-West Pacific: Mauritius and Maldives to the Solomon Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2334)
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 27; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26; Vertebrae: 26. Whitish head and body with 3 narrow stripes. Chin with a low, longitudinal, median fold. Scales close-set, embedded or partially embedded, non imbricate (except posteriorly). 1st dorsal fin higher than 2nd, 3rd - 5th spines of adults filamentous; 2nd dorsal with alternating blue and orange-yellow stripes.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Occurs on rubble or sandy areas of seaward reefs (Ref. 9710, 48637). Solitary or in pairs (Ref. 90102). Burrows occasionally.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Randall, J.E. and D.F. Hoese, 1985. Revision of the Indo-Pacific dartfishes, genus Ptereleotris (Perciformes: Gobioidei). Indo-Pac. Fish. (7):36 p. (Ref. 528)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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