Acanthoplesiops echinatus Smith-Vaniz & Johnson, 1990
Hiatt's longfin
Acanthoplesiops echinatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Plesiopidae (Roundheads), subfamily: Acanthoclininae
Max. size:  4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 8 - 34 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: the Philippines and Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 19-20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-6; Anal spines: 8-8; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Pale cream and distinctively marked with black banding over the top, anal fin and a vertical band on the caudal fin base (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by black base and black spot on central portion of pelvic fins; large white spot at base of pectoral fin; scattered white flecks on body; vertebrae 13+16-17; tubed lateral line scales 0-2; 3 sensory pores on dentary; head with minute papillae; depth of body at origin of dorsal fin 4.2-4.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Secretive in sheltered reefs to about 20 m depth (Ref. 48635); a few species collected from reef crevices in 8-34 m (Ref 90102). Eggs are guarded by the male parent (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Museum records USNM 146453 (Jolo, Sulu Arch., 2.1 cm SL) and USNM 37241 (Mindoro, 1.6 cm SL) (Ref. 75897). Also Ref. 90102.


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