Bluemouth demoiselle

📖 Overview

Relatively common at the type locality, darting among wave-washed rocks and boulders next to shore in about 1-2 meters and although the shoreline was exposed to significant wave action, the surrounding waters have characteristics more typical of estuarine habitats, i.e. with lowered salinity, high turbidity and sedimentation, and frequently elevated temperatures up to about 31°C. This area of unusual combination of coastal and offshore conditions may account for the development of the microendemic species limited to this area. Adults and subadults exhibited aggressive behavior when approached at close range, charging to within a few centimeters when confronted with either a camera or small collecting spear .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 12 - 15; Vertebrae: 26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIV (rarely XIII),12-14 (usually XIV,14); A II,12-15 (usually 14-15); pectoral-fin rays 17-19 (rarely 19); tubed lateral-line scales 17-19 (usually 18); total gill rakers on first arch 18-20 (rarely 20); body depth 1.8-2.0 (mean 1.9) in SL; scales absent on preorbital and suborbital; lower margin of suborbital series with 4-12 serrae; color in life mainly dark brown, nearly black, with contrasting blue areas around mouth (including isthmus), below eye, and along margin of preopercle; iris of adult mostly dark gray with a narrow bronze ring around pupil .Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Bluemouth demoiselle is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 2 m . Tropical West Papua).

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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