Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4201); common length : 22.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30573)
Environment
Reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m (Ref. 9710), usually 3 - 15 m (Ref. 4201)
Climate / Range
Tropical; 32°N - 32°S
Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific: East Africa south to Natal, South Africa (but not from the Red Sea) and east to the Clipperton, Cocos and Galapagos islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Great Barrier Reef, Norfolk Island, and Lord Howe Island. Throughout Micronesia (Ref. 1602) and common throughout Oceania, being clearly absent only from Easter Island. Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsalspines
(total): 11;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 13 - 15;
Analspines: 4;
Analsoft rays: 11 - 13. Lower jaw of adults prominently projecting when mouth is closed. Lower half to three-fourths of inner pectoral axil with small scales. Centers of scales silvery pink to pale yellowish, the edges red; black of opercular membrane extending below opercular spine; naked part of pectoral axil black; outer half of spinous dorsal fin yellow to orange-yellow, lower half of remaining fins red, the leading edges white, sometimes with a black submarginal streak.
Inhabits caves and hides under ledges of subtidal reef flats, channels and margins to outer reef slopes (Ref. 9710, 58302). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Occurs in loose aggregations (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on plankton such as crab larvae. Almost always caught at night (Ref. 9307). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9307). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874.
