Ablabys macracanthus (Bleeker, 1852)
Spiny waspfish
photo by Greenfield, J.

Family:  Tetrarogidae (Wasp fishes)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean in the Andaman Sea (Myanmar and Thailand) and western Pacific Ocean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Has a more anteriorly pointed dorsal fin and more rays in anal fin (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by having variable color, normally shades of brown color finely flecked with white; abruptly white forehead and snout; dorsal rays membrane not incised; longest is second dorsal spine, greater than head length; spinous portion of dorsal fin held fully erect; dorsal fin origin in front of eye; two spines in lacrimal, directed posteriorly; posterior lacrimal spine longer than anterior spine; short, blunt spine and four smaller ones below at border of preoperculum; depth of body 2.8-3.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inshore, usually muddy-sand habitat, estuaries and coastal slopes (Ref. 48635). Sways back and forth with current surge, mimicking dead leaves and other debris (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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