Pteropsaron springeri Smith & Johnson, 2007
Springer's sand-diver
Pteropsaron springeri
photo by Ryanskiy, A.

Family:  Hemerocoetidae (Indo-Pacific duckbills)
Max. size:  2.75 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 18 - 73 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Indonesia and the Philippines; probably including Palau.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-23; Anal soft rays: 20-25; Vertebrae: 35-36. This species differs from other species of the Pteropsaron/Osopsaron complex in having only 3 dorsal spines which are displaced anteriorly to lie over the posterior end of the skull, and associated modification of the anteriormost 3 pterygiophores and neural spines; D III, 20-23; A 24-25; vertebrae 35-36 (Ref. 75753).
Biology:  Usually found in sloping sand bottoms to 73 m (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans: 


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