Western Central Pacific: Apparently restricted to Banggai Islands, Indonesia. Threatened by extinction due to collection for the aquarium trade (Ref. 27438, 35396). Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsalspines
(total): 8;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 14 - 14;
Analspines: 2;
Analsoft rays: 13. Easily recognized by its tasseled first dorsal fin, elongate anal and second dorsal fin rays, deeply forked caudal fin and striking color pattern.
Common around the jetty, in silty sand bottoms with seagrass (Enhalus acoroides). Associated with Diadema setosum, the long-spined sea urchins. Individuals of 2 to 60 hover directly above the urchins, with the younger ones about 2-3 cm SL staying closer to the urchins. The fish retreat among the spines when threatened. Probably feed on small benthic and planktonic crustaceans at night. Male incubates the eggs until hatching; the large egg about 2.5 mm in diameter, with the young remaining within the mouth cavity for undetermined period after hatching (Ref. 9936, 48635). Newly hatched larvae have no planktonic period (Ref. 35886). Juveniles also use anemones for protection (Ref. 45560, 48635). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35417).
