Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Microdesmidae (Wormfishes) > Ptereleotrinae
Etymology: Ptereleotris: Greek, pteron = wing, fin + The name of a Nile fish, eleotris (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Jordan & Hubbs.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 30 m (Ref. 128797), usually 2 - 15 m (Ref. 27115). Tropical; 21°C - 27°C (Ref. 27115); 30°N - 30°S, 32°E - 150°W
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 2798) to the Line and Society islands, north to the Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to New South Wales, Lord Howe Island, and Rapa.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 14.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710)
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 26; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26; Vertebrae: 26. Light bluish gray in life, shading posteriorly to black; snout blackish; operculum with iridescent blue markings. Chin with a low fleshy protuberance, narrowing posteriorly to a low longitudinal fold. Caudal fin lobes blackish to dark reddish, broad centro-posterior region of fin whitish to yellowish; 1st dorsal fin dull orangish; 2nd dorsal and anal fins largely blackish; pectoral base with an orange to orange-red bar edged in blue. Juveniles with an oval black spot larger than eye at lower base of caudal fin.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Occurs in outer reef slopes, also inhabits lagoons and bays. Usually in pairs as adults and in small aggregations as juveniles, Ref. 48637. Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Feeds on zooplankton while hovering 1 to 2 m above the bottom. Swims away from danger rather than retreat to its burrow.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social (Ref. 52884).
Randall, J.E. and D.F. Hoese, 1985. Revision of the Indo-Pacific dartfishes, genus Ptereleotris (Perciformes: Gobioidei). Indo-Pac. Fish. (7):36 p. (Ref. 528)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 25.8 - 29.3, mean 28.5 °C (based on 2808 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00389 (0.00180 - 0.00842), b=3.12 (2.94 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 110 [59, 190] mg/100g; Iron = 0.813 [0.483, 1.346] mg/100g; Protein = 18.2 [17.1, 19.3] %; Omega3 = 0.087 [0.047, 0.154] g/100g; Selenium = 24.3 [12.0, 52.6] μg/100g; VitaminA = 193 [65, 602] μg/100g; Zinc = 1.83 [1.23, 2.62] mg/100g (wet weight);
