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Trichonotus arabicus Randall & Tarr, 1994 Arabian sand diver |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Trichonotidae (Sanddivers) | |||
| Max. size: | 14.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 2 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf to southern Oman. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 3-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 44-47; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 36-39; Vertebrae: 52-54. Females with an indistinct narrow dark stripe on body above lateral line and no black on anterior part of dorsal fin; males with a longitudinal row of 14 brown spots and 3 rows of small, dark edged, pale blue spots on body; dorsal and anal fins with a row of yellow dots on each membrane. | |||
| Biology: | Feeds on zooplankton about half a meter above the sand substratum (Ref. 10682). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||