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Rypticus bistrispinus (Mitchill, 1818) Freckled soapfish |
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photo by
Wirtz, P. |
| Family: | Grammistidae (Soapfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 15 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Western Atlantic: southern Florida, USA and Bahamas to the Antilles and Brazil (Ref. 5521). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dark red-brown above; side pale yellow or cream, with small, dark red-brown spots; belly creamy yellow. 3 spines on vertical edge of preopercle (Ref. 26938). | |||
| Biology: | A solitary species (Ref. 26340) inhabiting sandy bottom strewn with rocks (Ref. 5521). Rarely observed on reefs (Ref. 13442). Like other soapfishes, it has special skin glands that produce an irritating, mildly toxic slime (Ref. 26938). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 August 2012 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||