Hoplolatilus cuniculus Randall & Dooley, 1974
Dusky tilefish
Hoplolatilus cuniculus
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Malacanthidae (Tilefishes), subfamily: Malacanthinae
 Max. size:  16 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 25 - 115 m
 Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Maldives and Mauritius to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29-34; Anal spines: 1-2; Anal soft rays: 19-20; Vertebrae: 24-24. Preopercular serrae 30-58. H. cuniculus is variable in coloration, ranging from pale olive brown to yellowish or light greenish or a mixture with some geographic variation (Ref. 37816). Greatest depth of body 5.1-6.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Inhabits muddy to rubble or rubble-sand areas of outer reef slopes. Observed a meter above the substrate and retreats to a burrow when threatened. Stomach contents consist of calanoid copepods (58% by volume), larvaceans (20%), siphonophores (20%), and fish eggs (2%) (Ref. 8991). Sometimes in loose groups (Ref. 48635).
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 12.06.92
 Modified by: Reyes, Rodolfo B. - 27.02.14
 Checked by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 31.08.94

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