Worm pearlfish
📖 Overview
A benthic species which occurs in inshore waters and inhabits coral reefs . Uncommon species . Holothurian parasite with male-female pairs in each host . Associated with holothurians including Holothuria leucospilota, H.scabra, H.lubrica, and Thelenota ananas (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 27; Anal soft rays: 36 - 43. Eel-like, moderate to shallow body depth; maxilla adnate or nearly so; cardiform teeth present; branchiostegal membranes partly or completely united; swim bladder with thin terminal membrane or bulb; lacking enlarged dentary or premaxillary fangs, dentary diastema, pelvic fins, and swim bladder rocker bone . Lacks externally visible pectoral fins . : eel-like; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Worm pearlfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 1 m . Tropical; 30°N - 28°S north to the Ryukyus.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Finless Pearlfish · Worm Pearlfish |
| 🌍CES | jehlička červovitá |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Amamikakureuo · アマミカクレウオ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-perola-vermiculado |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | perlero mocho |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encheiliophis vermicularis | Müller | 1842 | Synonym |
| Encheliophiops hancocki | Reid | 1940 | Synonym |
| Encheliophis hancocki | Reid | 1940 | Synonym |
| Encheliophis jordani | Heller & Snodgrass | 1903 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
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