Butterfly whiptail
📖 Overview
Found in silty coastal bays to deep muddy habitats offshore. Swims on open substrate adjacent to reefs, usually in small aggregations. Often with large bottom feeders such as stingrays to catch disturbed prey . Juveniles found close to reefs. Feeds on small crustaceans. Also taken by bamboo stake trap in Thailand. Used also in fish balls, fried and as duck food. Not much appreciated for food, and low priced.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7. Head scales reaching forward to between level of anterior margin of eyes and posterior nostrils. Suborbital naked. Lower limb of preopercle naked. Pelvic fins short, not reaching level of anus. Axillary scale present. Color: Pale brownish on back, lower part of body whitish. Presence of two bluish stripes across snout, first from middle of eye to tip of snout, second from upper lip to lower margin of eye. Top of snout dusky.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Butterfly whiptail is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 50 m . Tropical; 20°N - 12°S, 97°E - 135°E Central Pacific: Philippines, South China Sea, Singapore, and Indonesia.
🌿 Ecology
small crustaceans
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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