Pentapodus porosus (Valenciennes, 1830)
Northwest Australian whiptail
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Nemipteridae (Threadfin breams, Whiptail breams)
Max. size:  27 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Aru Islands (Indonesia) and northwest Australia. This species closely resembles Pentapodus setosus and Pentapodus paradiseus.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Head scales reaching forward to or almost to level of posterior nostrils. Suborbital naked. Lower limb of preopercle naked. Pelvic fins short, not reaching near level of anus. Upper and lower lobes of caudal fin pointed, more or less equal in length. Axillary scale present. Color: Upper body pale brownish, lower whitish. Presence of three bluish stripes across snout, first joining eyes behind nostrils, second in front of nostrils, third from eye to tip of snout. A yellow stripe from behind eye to upper base of pectoral fin and another running from middle of upper lip.
Biology:  Occurs close to reefs in offshore waters (Ref. 9785). Solitary or small groups (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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