| Carapidae (Pearlfishes), subfamily: Carapinae |
| 10 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m |
| Indo-Pacific: South Africa to Hawaii. |
|
Dorsal soft rays (total): 43-50; Anal soft rays: 46-51; Vertebrae: 90-90. Eel-like, shallow to moderate body depth; adults small, less than 100 mm, trunk compressed; 1 to several large symphyseal fangs on premaxilla and dentary; anterior swim bladder modified into 'rockerbone'; predorsal bone present; pectoral fin rays supported by numerous small distal radials (Ref. 34024). Precaudal vertebrae 19-22; relatively long and slender (Ref. 34024). Translucent body and pink sheen; posterior part of tail and ventral part of body dusky (Ref. 11228).
Description: Characterized by length of pectoral fin 1.9-2.6 in head length; depth of body 10.0-11.5 in TL; head length about 7.2-8.1 in TL; front jaws of adult with pair of prominent canine teeth separated by gap from narrow band of small teeth posteriorly; numerous small conical teeth in vomer and palatines; head and anterior lateral line with sensory papillae (Ref. 90102). |
| Uncommon species (Ref. 34024). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Inhabits pearl shells, rock oysters, and clams. Feeds on crustaceans and polychaetes (Ref. 11228). Reported to tend towards sexual pairing in the host (Ref. 37816). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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