Radial firefish
📖 Overview
A generally uncommon species that inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs . Prefers rocky reefs and seems to avoid stony corals. Coastal, sometimes in surge zones where in narrow crevices, or along rock-walls in small caves . Found under ledges during the day . Feeds exclusively on small crabs and shrimps. Capable of inflicting a painful sting. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. This species is distinguished by the following characters: usually D XII,11 (rarely XII, 10 or XII, 12) and the pectoral-fin rays 16 (rarely 15, 17 or 18); scale rows in longitudinal series 51-57; relatively long fin days in the dorsal-fin with length of longest 30.9-40.5 (mean 35.8) % of SL, in the anal-fin with longest ray length 35.8-44.8 (40.4) % of SL, in the pectoral fin, the ninth ray length 75.6-113.2 (92.4) % of SL, and in pelvic-fin with longest ray 48.2-71.9 (60.0) % of SL with its posterior tip reaching or extending beyond vertical through posteriormost anal-fin soft ray base when depressed; supraocular tentacle without lateral branches; the postorbital sensory canal absent or not connected to sphenotic spine base at any life history stage. Colouration: body sides with five broad dark black bands and a horizontal broad dark band on caudal peduncle; the fourth and fifth body bands relatively narrow, dorsal width 5.8-9.3 (mean 7.4) % of SL and 3.4-9.3 (7.3) % of SL, respectively; the fourth additional (inserted) marking relatively broad, dorsal width 2.1-4.9 (3.6) % of SL .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Radial firefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m . Tropical; 32°N - 30°S South Africa and to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
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