Aporops bilinearis Schultz, 1943
Blotched podge
Aporops bilinearis
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Grammistidae (Soapfishes)
Max. size:  9.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 15 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific and Western Central Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-25; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 19-21; Vertebrae: 10-18. Adults' body light brown with scattered vertically elongate dark brown spots. Large pores in interorbital space absent (except in small juveniles). Preopercular spine projecting upward. Caudal vertebrae rarely up to 19. Lateral line scales: anterior 32-38; posterior 14-28 (usually 19-21) when fully developed. Longitudinal line series 53-59. Description: Characterized by having two lateral lines, first ends below soft portion of dorsal fin, second midlateral on posterior part of body; without enlarged pores in interorbital space; no pores around edge of eye; greatest depth of body 3.2-3.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A shallow-water species (Ref. 27020). Found among corals of wave-washed seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Benthic species (Ref. 7300, 58302). Solitary and cryptic (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Museum: Babuyan Is., Maybag I., USNM 324729. Batanes, Batan I., USNM 295953 (Ref. 27020).


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