| Family: |
Xenisthmidae (Collared wrigglers) |
| Max. size: |
3.1 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 9 - 24 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: from the Red Sea and East Africa to French Polynesia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 10-11; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following character: D2 usually I,11 (rarely I,12); A I,10-11; tongue rounded to truncate; posterior nostril with well-developed anterior flap (Ref. 115539).
Description: Characterized by golden brown color; 10-12 narrow pale greyish bars on side; dark brown bar under eye; head with irregular white bars; middle of caudal fin base with small, pale-edged black spot; caudal and dorsal fins with scattered brown spots; branched caudal rays 13; about 20 predorsal scales, extending to above posterior margin of preopercle; scaled cheek and opercle; depth of body 5.3-6.8 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
A benthic, inshore species, on the sandy fringe of coral reefs (Ref. 75154). Also found in rubble in lagoons and sheltered waters in 9-24 m (Ref 90102) and crevices close to the base of fringing reefs in the depth range of 1.5-16 m (Ref. 115539). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
