Dusky Brotulid

Diagnosis: This species is distinguished by the following: Vertebrae 11+32-34=43-45, dorsal fin rays 74-85 (usually >77), anal fin rays 58-69, D/V 6 (rarely 7); eyes moderately large (2.4-3.4% SL); outer pseudoclasper with hook-shaped extension oriented backward at 90° angle and slightly bent outwards, with a rounded tip; inner pseudoclasper short, joined to outer pseudoclasper anteriorly, with supporter, with small hook and wide thin flap at its base; scale patch on cheek with 5-6 scale rows on upper cheek, scales on operculum only above opercular spine, 3-7 scales in 2 rows; head profile slender, broad; otolith length to sulcus length about 2.0, sulcus not inclined (Ref. 57884).Description: Anterior nostril low, close to upper lip. Caudal fin well developed, not united with dorsal and anal fins. Distinguished from B. erythrea by its more numerous longitudinal scale rows (Ref. 559).Description: Characterized by depth of body at anal fin origin 16.7-20.6 (mean=18.5) % SL; long and straight penis (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 74 - 85; Anal spines: 0; Analsoft rays: 58 - 69; Vertebrae: 43 - 45

Rare species, known from a single male specimen (Ref. 34024). Solitary inhabitant of coral reef crevices to at least 20 m depth, cryptic (Ref 90102).

fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

分布於西太平洋區，包括日本南方及臺灣南部及小琉球海域等。

成魚的體型很小，又非常罕見，除學術研究外，沒有任何利用價值。

體圓而延長，從腹部以後則逐漸側扁。前鼻孔和上唇距離非常接近。鰓蓋後方有一硬棘。眼睛很小，非常的接近吻端。體被圓鱗；頭部則只有頰部有鱗，無側線。背鰭一枚，背鰭和臀鰭非常的長，一直延伸至尾柄的地方，但並沒有和尾鰭相癒合。背鰭鰭條數 74-75；臀鰭鰭條數 56-58；尾鰭鰭條數 14；縱列鱗數115。體呈淡褐色。

胎生魚種，雄魚具外生殖器。主要於棲息在珊瑚礁區的淺水海域中，以礁區的小型浮游動物或是無脊椎動物為食。