Alionematichthys riukiuensis (Aoyagi, 1954)
Bigeye cusk
Alionematichthys riukiuensis
photo by Winterbottom, R.

 Family:  Bythitidae (Viviparous brotulas), subfamily: Brosmophycinae
 Max. size:  7.87 cm SL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 0 - 10 m
 Distribution:  Western Pacific: Ryukyu Islands, Fiji and eastern Australia. More recently reported from OuvĂ©a Atoll, Loyalty Islands (Ref. 13236).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 77-92; Anal soft rays: 59-72; Vertebrae: 41-44. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 77-92; A 59-72; moderately large eyes (2.5-3.0% SL); moderately slender, massive body, snout with many cirri; cheeks with scales and a large scale patch on opercular spine(6-17), with large specimens having a few scales below opercular spine; with upper preopercular pore; outer pseudoclasper broad-based, not very large, not extending beyond hood in resting position; the inner pseudoclasper is not much smaller than the outer one, equal anterior and posterior lobes, anterior lobe broadly connected to anterior rim of outer pseudoclasper; slender otolith, its length to height 2.2-2.4, with gently curved dorsal rim; otolith length to sulcus length 1.6-1.7, ostium length to caudal length 3.5-4.0; vertebrae 11-12 + 30-32 = 41-44 (Ref. 81230). Description: Characterized by brownish red to orange brown color; caudal rays 16; body depth at origin of anal fin 16.8-23.4 (mean 19.9) % SL; anterior nostril high on snout, about one-third or less distance from lip to anterior rim of eye (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Uncommon species (Ref. 34024), inhabiting coral reefs (Ref. 13278). Cryptic, solitary inhabitant of shallow water (<10 m) (Ref 90102).
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 31.07.97
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 18.02.13
 Checked by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 06.10.00

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