Teleostei (teleosts) >
Ovalentaria/misc (Various families in series Ovalentaria) >
Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks) > Congrogadinae
Etymology: Haliophis: Greek, als, alis = salt + Greek, ophis = serpent (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Forsskål.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 15 m (Ref. 11441). Tropical; 31°N - 27°S
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea to the northern Gulf of Aden, southern Oman, and the east coast of Africa between Kenya and Mozambique, and the west coast of Madagascar.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 15.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 11441)
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 41 - 46; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 33 - 39. Second dorsal spine imbedded in the flesh and visible only in X-ray or cleared and stained material. Preopercular pores 7; median posterior interorbital pore absent. Shoulder with a dark, ocellated spot. Fused fill membranes and isthmus.
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like; Cross section: circular.
Found in shallow reefs, in areas with rock and rubble (Ref. 9710).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Winterbottom, R., 1985. Revision and vicariance biogeography of the subfamily Congrogadidae (Pisces: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae). Indo-Pac. Fish. (9):34 p. (Ref. 531)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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