Teleostei (teleosts) >
Ovalentaria/misc (Various families in series Ovalentaria) >
Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks) > Assiculinae
Etymology: Assiculus: Latin, axiculus, diminutive of axis = cart, wagon (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Richardson.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 30 m (Ref. 37748). Tropical
Indo-Pacific: endemic to Western Australia and Queensland.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 37748)
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22 - 24; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14; Vertebrae: 28 - 29. Head and body with small, bright blue spots. Uninterrupted lower lip at symphysis. Dorsal and anal rays mostly unbranched and segmented. Upper part of caudal fin with 4-5 procurrent rays and 9 principal rays; the lower part with 4-5 procurrent and 8 principal rays. Disjunct lateral line; anterodorsal series of 33-43 (usually 36-40) tubed scales extending from gill opening. Usually 19 or 20 circumpeduncular scales (Ref. 37748).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
Occurs inshore near reefs (Ref. 7300) and weed bed areas; usually in relatively silty waters at depths up to 30 m. A secretive species usually found at highly eroded limestone reef and rocks (Ref. 37748).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Gill, A.C., 1999. Pseudochromidae. Dottybacks (eelblennies). p. 2557-2577. In Carpenter, K. E. and V. E. Niem. 1999. Species identification guide for fisheries purposes. The living marine resources of the western central Pacific. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO, Rome. : iii-v; 2069-2790. (Ref. 37748)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of potential interest; aquarium: potential
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