Branchiostegus sawakinensis Amirthalingam, 1969
Freckled tilefish
Branchiostegus sawakinensis
photo by Khalaf, M.A.

Family:  Latilidae (Deepwater tilefishes)
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 45 - 180 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and off Durban, South Africa. Reported from the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819), northwestern Australia (Ref. 5978) and the Philippines (Ref. 9877, 9880).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Pinkish brown above, white below; caudal fin with 2 horizontal stripes; red spot on outer base of pectoral fins and black spot in axil (Ref. 5591).
Biology:  Occurs in the continental shelf (Ref. 7300). Found over muddy bottoms (Ref. 5213). Considered poisonous by local fishers in the Red Sea and thus are generally discarded (Ref. 9880).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  poisonous to eat


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