Rapa Nui fairy basslet

📖 Overview

Specimens were collected by hand net at a depth of 83 m at a small, rocky patch reef surrounded by a large sandy area. Other species collected at this location include Plectranthias ahiahiata, Luzonichthys kiomeamea, and Chromis mamatapara. Due to geographical isolation and the high degree of endemism (21.7%) reported among the shore fishes of Rapa Nui, it is likely that this species is endemic to the island .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 26. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: D X,17; A III,8; pectoral rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10 +16; scales relatively large, two scales between lateral line and base of fifth dorsal spine; circumpeduncular scales 16 or 17; gill rakers 11 + 22-23; body very slender and compressed, with greatest body depth 3.4-3.8 in SL; caudal peduncle short, its length 2.6-3.3 in HL. Colouration: sexually dichromatic, with male coloration red dorsally, yellow laterally, silvery-pink on throat and belly while females pink, silvery-pink on operculum, throat and belly; both sexes dark red on top of head, along anterior two-thirds of dorsal fin base; both sexes with rows of irregularly-spaced metallic magenta spots laterally, and red dorsal and caudal fins with yellow highlights .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Rapa Nui fairy basslet is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 83 m . Subtropical Southeast Pacific: Easter Island.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute