Chalixodytes tauensis
Chalixodytes tauensis Schultz, 1943
Saddled sandburrower
Chalixodytes tauensis
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Creediidae (Sandburrowers)
Max. size:  4.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: off southern Africa, from various localities in the Indian Ocean to eastern Indian Ocean (Christmas I., Australia); Western Central Pacific: Australia, Mariana, Marshall, Samoan, Tuamoto, and Pitcairn I. (Re. 1602, 2334). Reported from OuvĂ©a Atoll, Loyalty Islands in 1997 (Ref. 13236).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 35-37; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 36-38. Scales present on back, in front of the dorsal fin.
Biology:  Occurs in loose coral sand of shallow exposed seaward reefs and sandy shorelines to a depth of at least 10 m (Ref. 1602).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 January 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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