Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 36 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical; 30°N - 25°S
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to the Line, Marquesan, and Ducie islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 22.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 90102)
Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 36 - 45. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body depth 1.8-2.4 in SL; dorsal soft rays usually 9; pectoral rays 16-18, usually 17; gill rakers 9-7 + 19-26; caudal fin forked. Colour overall of body copper-brown, black spot at pectoral-fin base; anterior edge of first dorsal fin blackish; basal part of anal fin dusky greyish; no black margin on anal and caudal fins (Ref. 90102).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
Occurs in clear, shallow lagoon and seaward reefs, quite common along the reef margin. Feeds on benthic and planktonic crustaceans, other small invertebrates, and fishes at night. By day, it forms aggregations in caves. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
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