Gnatholepis Argus

📖 Overview

Collected from shallow intertidal pools that are not deeper than 1 m, on rocky fringing reefs where there are low corals, especially faviids and sponges; sand to muddy substrate with surrounding waters turbid .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 11; Vertebrae: 26. Distinguished by the following characteristics: lacking scales on side of head, predorsal midline and pectoral fin base, no distinct flap on end of lower lip (low fold may be present), and no distinct canine or enlarged teeth; sexually dimorphic in adult size and colour, with females averaging larger than males; sexually dichromatic: males with row of six dusky to blackish spots or blotches along mid-side of body, posteriormost 3-4 blackish spots darker and larger than anterior spots and surrounded by small iridescent blue spots in life, small dense black spots scattered on unpaired fins; females with broken grey line along midside of body and dusky to blackish spots or blotches indistinct and posterior blotches not darker than anterior ones, no small iridescent blue spots on body; second dorsal fin rays modally I,10; anal fin rays modally I,11; pectoral rays 15-18; lateral scales 24-28; predorsal scales absent from nape midline, scales on side of head may reach from just over opercle to nearly behind eyes .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Gnatholepis Argus is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 1 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: Australia.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Gnatholepis Argus.

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute