Festucalex rufus Allen & Erdmann, 2015

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  3.63 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.78 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 25 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Solomon Is.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-19; Anal soft rays: 4-4. This species is distinguished by the following characters: pectoral fin-rays 10-11; dorsal-fin rays 18-19; body rings 15-16 + 13 or total 46-47; snout length 2.8-3.2 in HL; lateral trunk ridge ending on penultimate trunk ring; absence of spine-like projections on principle tail ridges; when alive, colour generally pinkish red (Ref. 116662).
Biology:  Occurs in exposed coral reef slopes and generally encountered solitarily or in pairs at depths of about 10-25 m. It exhibits highly effective camouflage with regards to its shape and colour, closely matching an unidentified, short tubular sponge among which this fish is invariably found (Ref. 116662).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 29 September 2016 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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