Phallostethus cuulong Shibukawa, Tran & Tran, 2012

Family:  Phallostethidae (Priapiumfishes)
Max. size:  24.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; depth range - 1 m
Distribution:  Asia: Soc Trang and Tra Vinh Provinces, Vietnam.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal soft rays: 24-27; Vertebrae: 37-40. Differs from all other species of the genus Phallostethus in having the following characters: second ctenactinium with seven serrae in adult males; pectoral fin with 11-13 rays ; 11-14+25-26=37-40 vertebrae; approximately 5-19 teeth on paradentary. Males are dextral based on six specimens; 25-26 caudal vertebrae, sexual dimorphism is also found in the number of precaudal vertebrae, 13-14 in males and 11-12 in females (Ref. 90869). Description: Pelvic fin absent in males, present but rudimentary in females
Biology:  Occurs in shallow waters (<1.2 m depth) around banks of slow-flowing turbid canals and rivers with soft muddy bottoms. Usually solitary. Sympatric with aplocheilid Aplocheilus panchax (Ref. 90869).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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