Philippines viviparous brotula

📖 Overview

Philippines viviparous brotula (Ungusurculus philippinensis), first described by Schwarzhans & Møller, 2007 is a tiny fish. Adults typically reach 4.80 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 5 to 10 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. The species largely solitary in behaviour. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 78 - 87; Anal soft rays: 54 - 66; Vertebrae: 42 - 44. This species is distinct with the following characters: D 78-87, A 54-66, D/A 22-27, V in D 2.2-2.4; vertebrae 12-13+29-32=42-44; anterior nostril located 1/4 the distance from upper lip to aggregate distance to anterior margin of eye; free pseudoclaspers 2 pairs, outer pseudoclasper wing-shaped with broad base and distally slightly widened supporter without anterior hook, the inner one moderately long, with widened base, distally with 2 inward directed strong spines; cheeks with 5-6 scale rows on upper part and 3-4 rows on lower; no upper preopercular pore; otolith moderately elongate, its length to height is 2.0-2.1, pointed anterior and posterior tips, short sulcus with ventral indentation at joining of ostium and cauda, partly fused colliculi, its centre anterior to centre of otolith, inclined about 10°, otolith length to sulcus length is 2.0-2.1 .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Philippines viviparous brotula is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 10 m . Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

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