Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets), subfamily: Anthiinae |
12 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
reef-associated; depth range 7 - 70 m |
Indo-Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island (Ref. 30874) and Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Tuamoto Islands, north to Japan, south to the northern Great Barrier Reef and Loyalty Islands. |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Young and females with series of red blotches over the back below the soft part of the dorsal fin, followed by a red streak onto the tail (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by having greatest depth of body at 3.6-4.1 in SL; presence of fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip in male; prolonged third dorsal spine in male; lunate caudal fin, lobes of male often filamentous; elongate filaments of pelvic fin in male (Ref. 90102). |
Usually in small groups on drop-offs from 30 to 60 m or in the vicinity of caves or ledges of steep outer reef slopes. Feeds on crustacean larvae and fish eggs (Ref. 89972). |
(Ref. 96402)
|
harmless |
Museum: USNM 216923 (holotype of Mirolabrichthys imeldae) (Ref. 12965). Luzon, Batangas Bay, 20 m, BMNH 1976.9.30.66-7 (Ref. 12401). Also Ref. 9137, 53416. |