| Family: |
Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Ptereleotrinae |
| Max. size: |
5.4 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.82 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 20 - 38 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Pacific: Palau, Brunei and Marshall Islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-25; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 22-24. This species is characterized by the following features: D VI + I, 23-25; A I, 22-24; pectoral rays 22 or 23; cycloid scales, nonimbricate, 135-139 oblique rows in longitudinal series on body; gill rakers 6-7 + 18-19; body depth 6.95-7.6 in SL; head length 4.2-4.6 in SL; chin with a low median fleshy ridge, narrowing to a thin convoluted ridge; first dorsal fin very low, the spines strongly curved posteriorly, only the last with a short free tip; fifth dorsal spine longest,
2.05-2.7 HL; caudal fin slightly rounded to slightly emarginate with rounded lobes, 4.3-4.65 in SL; pelvic fins 4.45-4.65 in SL; alcohol preserved color pale tan, with a dusky zone between upper lip and orbit; when fresh color is pale lavender-gray dorsally, becoming white on abdomen and cheek, 2 broad bluish gray stripes, a dorsal one posterior to middle of first
dorsal fin, and a ventral one above anal fin, separated by a narrow zone of pale lavender-gray; median fins are pale lavender-blue basally, translucent distally; pelvic fins mainly pale blue; pectoral fins translucent, with a narrow red bar at base (Ref. 75638). |
| Biology: |
Collected from lagoons on silty sand and rubble substrata (Ref. 75638). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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