Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to northern Mozambique (Ref. 4343) and east to Fiji, north to southern Taiwan, south to New Caledonia. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm? range ? - ? cm Max length : 11.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710)
Dorsalspines
(total): 7;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 10-12;
Analspines: 1;
Analsoft rays: 9 - 11;
Vertebrae: 26. Upper 3-4 pectoral fin rays free. Body color pale gray; operculum with 5 small blue spots interspersed with brownish red spots; 5 vertical rows of white spots on pectoral fins; anterior tip of first dorsal fin bright yellow. 4th spine of 1st dorsal fin longest. Predorsal scales cycloid, trunk ctenoid. Mouth with overhanging snout, lips greatly thickened. Cheeks and operculae without scales. Female pelvic and anal fins not as darkly pigmented as in male. Also with terete body shape, slightly depressed; eyes situated dorso-laterally; reduced swim bladders (Ref. 92840).
A common species that inhabits mangroves and silty, rocky areas; occasionally found in rubble reef areas. Only single individuals were observed; many individuals found scattered over a small area (Ref. 420). Found primarily in lower estuaries, usually in mangroves. This is the species of the genus that is found farthest inland. Feeds on small invertebrates (Ref. 12693).
Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Genital papilla, of male varying from lightly to heavily pigmented and terminating to side of anal spine. Female genital papilla lightly pigmented and truncate, terminating well before anal spine (Ref. 420). Benthic spawner (Ref. 32023).
Preferred temperature (Ref. 115969): 25.5 - 29.3, mean 28.5 °C (based on 3131 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805): PD50 = 0.5010 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01047 (0.00620 - 0.01768), b=3.05 (2.90 - 3.20), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref. 93245).
Trophic level (Ref. 69278): 3.5 ±0.37 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref. 120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Low vulnerability (22 of 100) .
