| Family: |
Epigonidae (Deepwater cardinalfishes) |
| Max. size: |
13.98 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 52 - 200 m |
| Distribution: |
Red Sea: Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan. Only known from the type locality, a coral reef area in front of the Marine Science Station in Aqaba, at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, where it was found at a depth of only 52 m. First record of the family Epigonidae from the Red Sea, representing the northermost occurrence in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 83754). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 25. Epigonus marisrubri is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays VII + I,10; anal-fin rays II,9; pectoral-fin rays 18; pored lateral line scales 48 or 49; gill-rakers 10+19-20; pyloric caeca 10; vertebrae 10 + 15; 2 pterygiophores between neural spines 9 and 10; pectoral fins long, reaching level of second dorsal-fin origin; caudal fin forked; tongue with a band of 2-4 rows of densely-set teeth on glossohyal; opercle with short, poorly ossified spine and 1-2 small spinelets; otolith oval, elongate, sulcus and cristae weakly developed (Ref. 83754). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits the coastal reef area and continental shelf. Reported from a coral reef area at a depth of 52 m (northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea) (Ref. 93890). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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