Crystallodytes cookei Fowler, 1923
Cooke's sandburrower
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Creediidae (Sandburrowers)
Max. size:  5.85 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 15 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaii.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 36-39; Anal soft rays: 34-38. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 36-39; A 34-38; pectoral rays 10-11; pelvic rays I,5; caudal-fin rays branched; scales only along the lateral line; lateral line descending gradually from the upper end of the gill opening to the lower edge of caudal peduncle, 54-57 pored scales; body depth 12.6-15.0 in SL; a series of cirri on the side of the lower lip; origin of anal fins below 4th or 5th ray of the dorsal fin; colouration - whitish to pale gray with 11-12 edged, yellow brown spots dorsally on body which appear as short triangular bars when viewed from the side, the side of the body usually has a narrow blackish stripe, radiating from eye are narrow brown bars (Ref. 86689).
Biology:  Found in sand along shores exposed to wave action or in the spur and groove zone. Feeds on chironomid insects (56%), amphipods Amphilocus menehune, Cymadusa hawaiiensis, Grammaropsis atlantica, and unidentified gastropod (Ref. 86689).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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