Nielsenichthys pullus Schwarzhans & Møller, 2011
Nusa penida viviparous brotula
Nielsenichthys pullus
photo by W. Schwarzhans & P. R. Møller

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  3.8 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 5 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 84-90; Anal soft rays: 59-67; Vertebrae: 42-43. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: anterior nostril placed high on snout (nearly half the distance from upper lip to anterior margin of eye); male copulatory organ with 2 pairs of equally large pseudoclaspers connected by thin ligament; pseudoclaspers slender, each with single straight supporter, inner pseudoclasper positioned anterior of outer pseudoclasper; precaudal vertebrae 12; rays on dorsal fin 84-90 and anal fin 59-67; head with scale patch on cheek only, no scales on operculum; upper preopercular pore present; maxilla expanded postventrally; otolith elongate (length to height 2.2-2.3), colliculi separated, ostium approaching close to anterior rim of otolith, ostium length to caudal length 3.3-3.8; size small, up to about 40 mm SL (Ref. 88966).
Biology:  Cryptic, solitary inhabitant of rocky crevices (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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