| Family: |
Soleidae (Soles) |
| Max. size: |
2.4 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range - 2 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Saudi Arabia and Eritrea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 58-58; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 39-39; Vertebrae: 32-32. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 58; A 39; caudal rays 18; lateral-line scales 68 (including 8 anterior to upper end of gill opening); vertebrae 32; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 15; body depth 2.6 in SL; head length 3.65 in SL; snout length 3.05 in head length; with a row of 13 lappet-like cirri on ventral margin of head; with caudal peduncle, its depth 6.4 in head length; caudal fin rounded, 3.7 in SL; longest dorsal ray 1.6 in head length; colour in alcohol pale beige, scales narrowly rimmed with brown; 3 longitudinal rows of diffuse dark brown blotches on body; unmarked fins; color when fresh pale yellow, the dark markings more heavily pigmented; head and body with large irregular white blotches, varying from nearly round (most larger than eye) to vermiculate; median fins with transparent membranes, the rays yellowish, spotted with dark brown and white; dorsal and anal fins with a row of large irregular white blotches on about basal half; pelvic fins are white; lips and eyes whitish, the pupils rimmed in light yellow; cirri ventrally on head white (Ref. 95111). |
| Biology: |
This species was collected from sand in an isolated patch reef about 3 m in diameter, about 100 m from shore on the sheltered east side of a small island near the coast of Saudi Arabia and it was about 15 m from the steep outer-reef slope (Ref. 95111). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 14 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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