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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Rusty hind

Cephalopholis aitha Randall & Heemstra, 1991
Max Length
25 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
5–33 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Typical Length
20 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Inhabits protected or silty reef areas . Reported to be very habitat speciific, lives in very rich invertebrate habitat in the shore side of inner reefs and difficult to get shots u/w. Largest seen was about 25 cm, but usually smaller up to about 20 cm (R. Kuiter, pers. Comm. 03/2022). Maximum length given 40 cm TL (for confirmation) May undergo protogyny. Solitary (Ref 90102).

Scientific Name
Cephalopholis aitha
Authority
Randall & Heemstra, 1991
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
25 cm
Depth Range
5–33 m
Latitude
12°S – 20°N
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Similar to the more common Cephalopholis spiloparaea but lacks banding in the caudal fin ; characterized further by reddish brown color; base of pelvic fins with indistinct dark blotch; greatest body depth 2.5-2.9 in SL; rounded caudal fin; short pelvic fins, 2.3-2.5 in head length; strongly bilobed margin of front of upper lip ; head length 2.1-2.3 times in SL; rounded preopercle, posterior edge finely serrate, lower edge fleshy; very convex upper edge of operculum; maxilla extends past eye; teeth large; midlateral-body scales ctenoid .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Rusty hind is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Rusty hind is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Rusty hind is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 5 - 33 m . Tropical; 20°N - 12°S, 111°E - 149°E

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
4±0.7
🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0123 × L3.04 (TL)
Max TL
25cm
Dorsal Spines
9
Dorsal Rays
14
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2016

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
29.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
20°N – 12°S
Described By
Randall & Heemstra, 1991

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