Aeoliscus punctulatus (Bianconi, 1854) Speckled shrimpfish |
photo by
Field, R. |
Family: | Centriscidae (Snipefishes and shrimpfishes), subfamily: Centriscinae | |||
Max. size: | 15 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
Environment: | reef-associated; marine | |||
Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea and Kenya to Algoa Bay, South Africa. | |||
Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Pale green in color, with widely-spaced, small black spots (Ref. 5462). | |||
Biology: | Found in small groups near or among long-spined sea urchins and branching corals. Feeds on planktonic crustaceans (Ref. 9710). Swims vertically, with a head-down position (Ref. 5462). | |||
IUCN Red List Status: | Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 28 October 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
Threat to humans: | harmless |