Pseudopataecus carnatobarbatus Johnson, 2012
Goatee velvetfish
photo by Morrison, S.

Family:  Aploactinidae (Velvetfishes)
Max. size:  9.74 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 13 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 31-32. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIII-XIV,13i-14i; A I,9i-11i; pectoral-fin rays 11-12; pelvic-fin rays I,3; gill rakers on first gill arch 0-4 + 5-8, 6-11 total; lateral-line tubes 13-17; vertebrae, including urostyle, 31-32; dorsal-, anal-, pectoral-, first two pelvic- and most caudal-fin rays are branched near their tips, except in juveniles; last soft dorsal-fin ray joined for most of its length by a membrane to the proximal third of upper caudal-fin ray; spinous dorsal fin strongly notched, between 3rd and 8th spines; relatively robust pelvic fins, with third or innermost ray subequal to second ray; smooth anterior face of lower lip, a single row of small unbranched cirri along its upper margin; forehead with a narrow quadrangular pit, bounded by frontal, supraorbital, ocular and preocular ridges (Ref. 89851). Description: Pseudopataecus carnatobarbatus differs from P. taenianotus by its branched (vs. simple) tips to most fin rays, last soft dorsal-fin ray joined by membrane more fully to upper caudal-fin ray, spinous dorsal fin more distinctly notched, pelvic fins more robust, anterior face of lower lip smooth (vs. profusely covered with cirri), and a narrow quadrangular pit on the forehead, bounded by frontal, supraorbital, ocular and preocular ridges (vs. no pit and preocular ridge); modally, has fewer anal-fin rays and greater numbers of gill rakers (Ref. 89851).
Biology:  Collected and observed usually in broad shallow pools within degenerating low-relief reef, with dead coral heads, overhangs and crevices, with scattered shell and coral rubble, often among thick stands of brown macroalgae, Padina and Sargassum species (Ref. 89851).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.