Goatee velvetfish

📖 Overview

Collected and observed usually in broad shallow pools within degenerating low-relief reef, with dead coral heads, overhangs and crevices, with scattered shell and coral rubble, often among thick stands of brown macroalgae, Padina and Sargassum species .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 31 - 32. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIII-XIV,13i-14i; A I,9i-11i; pectoral-fin rays 11-12; pelvic-fin rays I,3; gill rakers on first gill arch 0-4 + 5-8, 6-11 total; lateral-line tubes 13-17; vertebrae, including urostyle, 31-32; dorsal-, anal-, pectoral-, first two pelvic- and most caudal-fin rays are branched near their tips, except in juveniles; last soft dorsal-fin ray joined for most of its length by a membrane to the proximal third of upper caudal-fin ray; spinous dorsal fin strongly notched, between 3rd and 8th spines; relatively robust pelvic fins, with third or innermost ray subequal to second ray; smooth anterior face of lower lip, a single row of small unbranched cirri along its upper margin; forehead with a narrow quadrangular pit, bounded by frontal, supraorbital, ocular and preocular ridges . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Goatee velvetfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 13 m . Tropical; 15°S - 24°S, 114°E - 125°E Indian Ocean: Western Australia.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

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