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Branchiostegus sawakinensis Amirthalingam, 1969 Freckled tilefish |
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photo by
Khalaf, M.A. |
| Family: | Latilidae (Deepwater tilefishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 60 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 45 - 180 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and off Durban, South Africa. Reported from the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819), northwestern Australia (Ref. 5978) and the Philippines (Ref. 9877, 9880). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Pinkish brown above, white below; caudal fin with 2 horizontal stripes; red spot on outer base of pectoral fins and black spot in axil (Ref. 5591). | |||
| Biology: | Occurs in the continental shelf (Ref. 7300). Found over muddy bottoms (Ref. 5213). Considered poisonous by local fishers in the Red Sea and thus are generally discarded (Ref. 9880). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 September 2024 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | poisonous to eat | |||