Hoplolatilus randalli Allen, Erdmann & Hamilton, 2010
Randall’s tilefish
Hoplolatilus randalli
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Malacanthidae (Tilefishes)
Max. size:  15.43 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 30 - 85 m
Distribution:  Indo West Pacific: Indonesia, Philipines, Palau, Yap Is. and the Solomon Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-12; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D X,13; A II,12; pectoral rays 17; total gill rakers on first branchial arch 27-29; pored lateral line scales 84-92 with 98-120 scales in lateral series above lateral line; preopercular serrae 16-23; greatest body depth 3.4-3.9 in SL; length of last dorsal spine 2.5-3.0 in HL; longest soft dorsal ray 1.1-1.4 in HL; colour in life mainly greenish (darker dorsally), shading to light blue on lower head, thorax, and abdomen; caudal peduncle with an elongate sky aqua-blue saddle-like spot dorsally; narrow sky-blue band from front of snout to lower edge of eye; lips mainly blue; narrow yellow-orange band just below blue band, passing just under eye to posterior margin of preoperculum; dorsal and anal fins pale yellow with pink margin; caudal fin reddish with indistinct central pale streak, the upper and lower margins narrowly light blue to pinkish; pectoral fins mainly translucent except upper 4-5 rays blue; pelvic fins bluish white; iris yellow with bright blue streak dorsally and ventrally (Ref. 85568).
Biology:  Inhabits gentle rubble slopes; constructs impressive rubble mounds over its burrows, which range from about 50-70 cm in height and 1.5-2 m in diameter and typically, the fish are seen hovering a short distance from their home mound, with up to six individuals using a single mound. The fish when approached closely or frightened by spear shots, quickly retreat into the burrow, which is located near the apex of the mound (Ref. 85568).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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