Aseraggodes auroculus Randall, 2005
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Soleidae (Soles)
Max. size:  3.55 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 24 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Society Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 74-77; Anal soft rays: 56-57; Vertebrae: 37-38. Diagnosis: Dorsal rays 74-77; anal rays 56-57; most dorsal and anal rays double branched. Lateral-line scales 69-73. including 6-7 anterior to a vertical at upper end of gill opening. Vertebrae 37-38; dorsal pterygiophores anterior to fourth neural spine 12. Body depth 2.45-2.6 in SL; head length (HL) 3.85-3.95 in SL; eye diameter 4.55-4.9 in HL; upper eye overlapping a anterior two-thirds to three-fourths of lower eye; interorbital space narrow, the vertical distance between eyes about one-fourth to one-sixth eye diameter. Caudal peduncle absent. Short fleshy cirri on ventral edge of head. Lateral line aligned with ventral part of upper eye. Longest dorsal ray 1.55-1.7 in HL; caudal fin rounded, 4.4-4.55 in SL in length; pelvic fins 2.4-2.7 in HL, the tip of longest ray reaching base of second or third anal ray. Body color of ocular side in alcohol pale yellowish brown with 3 rows of large irregular blackish blotches, one dorsal, one ventral, and one midlateral; a few small dark spots on fin rays; blind side pale yellowish, the dark spots on rays faint (Ref. 57560).
Biology:  Collected from steep sloping bottoms dominated by coral rubble (Ref. 57560).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 02 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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