Classification / Names
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Teleostei (teleosts) >
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Etymology: Alionematichthys: Name from Latin alius meaning the other or different, and nematichthys, the stem of the genus name Dinematichthys, to which this genus is most similar; ceylonensis: Named for its type locality which is formerly known as Ceylon; an adjective.
More on authors: Møller & Schwarzhans.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated. Tropical
Eastern Indian Ocean: Sri Lanka.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81230)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 75 - 83; Anal soft rays: 57 - 65; Vertebrae: 41 - 43. This species is distinct in having the following characters: D 75-83 (average 79); A 57-65 (average 60); moderately large eyes (2-2.8%SL); rounded snout, no cirri; only cheeks with scales; no upper preopercular pore; outer pseudoclasper broad-based, triangular, with distal knob on inner side, while the inner one with symmetrically developed anterior pointed lobe and posterior lobe resembling in shape a socket fitting to small knob on inner face of outer pseudoclasper; otolith length to height 2.3-2.4, with shallow dorsal rim; otolith length to sulcus length 1.5-1.6, ostium length to cauda length 3.3-4.0; vertebrae 11-12 + 29-31 = 41-43 (Ref. 81230).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
A 5.3 cm SL gravid female (USNM 394975) with 80 embryos, 0.48 cm TL in length, and 60 orange eggs, 0.07 cm in diameter (Ref. 81230).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Møller, P.R. and W. Schwarzhans, 2008. Review of the Dinematichthyini (Teleostei, Bythitidae) of the Indo-west Pacific, Part IV. Dinematichthys and two new genera with descriptions of nine new species. The Beagle 24:87-146. (Ref. 81230)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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