Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Microdesmidae (Wormfishes) > Ptereleotrinae
Etymology: Ptereleotris: Greek, pteron = wing, fin + The name of a Nile fish, eleotris (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 80 m (Ref. 128797), usually 5 - 15 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 22°C - 27°C (Ref. 27115); 35°N - 35°S
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian, Line, Marquesas, and Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island; Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands in Micronesia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 14.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2798)
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 33; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30; Vertebrae: 26. Light blue to pale bluish gray; upper edge of operculum with a longitudinal iridescent blue band divided into 2 sections. Caudal fin yellowish, some with an orangish streak passing anteriorly from spot; 1st dorsal fin not as high as the 2nd; 2nd dorsal and anal fins not elevated anteriorly; pelvic fins not long; base of pectoral fin usually with a blue-edged salmon-pink spot.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Occurs in lagoons or bays, in passes, or on outer reef slopes; over hard substrate as well as patches of rubble or sand, usually at the base of the reef. Adults are usually in pairs and share burrow which is often under a piece of rubble or slab of coral rock. Adults feed on current-borne zooplankton as high as 3 m above the burrow; tend to remain together while feeding, separated by not more than 1-2 m. Monogamous (Ref. 52884, 48637). Juveniles occur in large groups, as many as 500. Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115.
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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