| Family: |
Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula) |
| Max. size: |
10.2 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 20 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Indonesia, New Guinea, Sabah to the Solomons, including Sta. Cruz Islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 76-85; Anal soft rays: 59-68; Vertebrae: 43-45. Diagnosis: Vertebrae 11+32-34=43-45, dorsal fin rays 76-85, anal fin rays 59-68; eyes large (at least 2.5% SL); outer pseudoclasper large, broad, ear-lobe shaped; inner pseudoclasper a fleshy appendix at the anterior-inner rim of the outer pseudoclasper, without supporter; large scale patch on operculum above opercular spine (6–9 scales) and 1 to 3 isolated scales below opercular spine; head profile strongly ‘high-necked / hump-backed’; color yellow in live specimens (Ref. 57884).
Description: Characterized by uniformly yellow color; body depth at origin of anal fin 16.5-23.2 (mean=20.5)% SL; posterior cheek with vertically elongate scale patch (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Large dominating individuals were observed to make attacks toward smaller fish, which were hiding below rocks or any other shelter provided. One male was observed to flip backward the cover of the copulatory organ so that the organ can be exposed while swimming (Ref. 57884). Solitary inhabitant of coral reef crevices to at least 20m depth, cryptic (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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