Pegasus lancifer Kaup, 1861
Sculptured seamoth

Family:  Pegasidae (Seamoths)
Max. size:  9.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 20 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: endemic to the temperate waters of southern Australia and Tasmania.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 5-5; Vertebrae: 22-22. Body light to dark brown, olive or blue dorsally and laterally, light brown ventrally. Tail rings 14, anteriormost 7 mobile, remaining 7 fused; terminal tail rings with dorsal and ventral pairs of posteriorly directed spines; rostrum square in cross section; interpectoral plate absent. 4 pairs dorsolateral body plates; 5 pairs ventrolateral body plates; suborbital shelf convex, obscuring eye from ventral view; deep pits on dorsal surface of head and within interorbital depression absent. Orbit with small scales.
Biology:  A benthic species found inshore of the continental shelf in muddy, silty and sandy bottoms, usually with seagrass; intertidal to 50 m depth (Ref. 75154). Large numbers of individuals are known to congregate in the shallows of estuaries. The species is capable of burying itself in the sediment and change colors to match the background.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 May 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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