Plesiops auritus Mooi, 1995
Earspot longfin
Plesiops auritus
photo by Winterbottom, R.

Family:  Plesiopidae (Roundheads), subfamily: Plesiopinae
Max. size:  7.59 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 15 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: known only from Sri Lanka to the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsula near Phuket, and south along the western coast of Sumatra to north of Java
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Characterized by generally brown color with diffuse mottling; pair of short dark stripes behind eye; narrow oblique dark line below eye; upper edge of operculum with prominent dark spot; tubed lateral line scales 18-20+10-16; midlateral scale serie 23-24; cheek scale rows 2-3; total gill rakers on first arch 11-16 (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults occur in coral heads, on reefs or in rocky areas, to depths of 15 m, but often in shallower water (Ref. 27772). Eggs are guarded by the male parent (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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