Alcock's deep-reef basslet

📖 Overview

Alcock's deep-reef basslet (Pelontrus alcocki), first described by Bineesh, Gopalakrishnan & Jena, 2014 is a small fish. Adults typically reach 7.20 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 180 to 320 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D X,15, fourth dorsal spine longest, 2.8 (2.6) in HL; A III,7; pectoral-fin rays 14; pelvic-fin rays I,5; complete lateral-line with 28 pored scales; scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 1; scales dorsally on head extending to posterior nostrils; maxilla or chin without scales; gill-rakers 5 + 11 (2 + 7 developed); circumpeduncular scales 10; body depth of holotype 34.4% SL, head length 46% SL, orbit diameter 8.6 in SL, dorsal fin slightly notched and continuous, with longest dorsal soft ray (second) 2.4 in HL, first anal-fin spine 4.9 in HL, second anal spine 2.2 in HL; dorsal fin with a black blotch at base of 4th-8th spines, one at base of the last three spines, and two at base of soft portion of fin, the dark pigment extending onto adjacent body; margin of preopercle finely serrate, 33 serrae, and ventral edge without antrorse spines .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Alcock's deep-reef basslet is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 180 - 320 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: Arabian Sea, India.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

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