Microbrotula rubra Gosline 1953

This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: vertebrae 11 + 35 = 46, D 81-92, A 72-80, pectoral-fin rays 12-14, caudal-fin rays 6; anterior dorsal fin ray above vertebra 11; anterior anal fin ray below dorsal fin ray 9; anterior anal fin ray below vertebra 13; head with scales on cheek, opercle and occiput; numerous papillae on entire head; lateral-line papillae along entire length of body; absence of spine at lower angle of preopercle; 3 posterior mandibular pores, 3 posterior infraorbital pores, 1 lower preopercular pore, 1 upper preopercular pore 1; palatine teeth strong, in single row (Ref. 88975).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 81 - 92; Analsoft rays: 72 - 80; Vertebrae: 46

Found in shallow reef habitat (Ref. 122680).

Rare species, known from a depth of 1 m, over mixed coral and sand (Ref. 34024). Benthic (Ref. 58302).

fisheries: of no interest

Microbrotula rubra, also called the red viviparous brotula, is a species of viviparous brotula endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.

The red brotula is translucent red in life and grows to a length of 5.4 centimetres (2.1 in) SL. It is the type species of the genus Microbrotula.