Acanthosphex leurynnis (Jordan & Seale, 1905)
Wasp-spine velvetfish
photo by Erdmann, M.V.

Family:  Aploactinidae (Velvetfishes)
Max. size:  3.1 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 5 - 60 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 1-2; Anal soft rays: 6-8. Body notably compressed (Ref. 39602). Description: Characterized by usually having uniform dark brown to light mottled brown color; snout, forehead, operculum and ventral part of body usually covered by white patches; whitish with irregular dark brown band across middle to outer section of pectoral and caudal fin; two very large posterior directed spines in lacrimal; four large spines at rear margin of preopercle, uppermost larger than others; chin with pair of short tentacles; depth of body about 3.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Presumed to inhabit interstices on rocky and coral-rubble bottoms, bottoms with coralline algae, or among vegetation (Ref. 12123).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Luzon (Ref. 90102).


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