Arrow Head Soapfish

Body brown in color (may also be dusky bluish grey to almost black (Ref. 48635)), caudal peduncle with saddle-like yellow spot; large ocellated black spot on spinous dorsal (Ref. 4326).Description: Characterized by having ctenoid scales; elongated body, greatest depth 3.5-3.7 in SL; coarsely serrated margin of preopercle; truncate caudal fin; short pelvic fins (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8

In clefts in coral reefs (Ref. 9137). Occurs in steep slopes of coral rich areas. Usually hovers in mid water in caves (Ref. 9710). Nocturnal species (Ref. 4326). Secretive and solitary (Ref. 37816). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972).

Occurs in steep slopes of coral rich areas. Usually hovers in mid water in caves (Ref. 9710). Nocturnal species (Ref. 4326). Secretive and solitary (Ref. 37816). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Easily missed and normally the yellow spot is noticed first (Ref. 48635). Produces the skin toxin grammistin.

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起非洲東部，東至薩摩亞，北至日本，南至新加勒多尼亞。台灣分布於南部海域。

偶見魚種。體表能分泌具黑鱸素(grammistin)之粘性毒液，不可食。

體細長，標準體長為體高之3.5-3.9倍。頭背部幾乎斜直；眶間區略凹陷。吻略鈍尖。上頜骨末端延伸至眼之下方；上下頜、腭骨及鋤骨均具齒。前鰓蓋後緣鋸齒狀；下鰓蓋及間鰓蓋後緣鋸齒狀，且不埋入皮下。淚骨的表面具許多波狀骨脊。鰓耙數6-8+13-15。體被細小櫛鱗；側線鱗孔數69-76。背鰭分離，第一背鰭有硬棘VIII-IX枚，第二背鰭有硬棘I枚，軟條10；臀鰭硬棘II枚，軟條8；腹鰭腹位，末端不及肛門開口；胸鰭短於後頭部，圓形，中央之鰭條長於上下方之鰭條；尾鰭截形。體呈藍綠色至藍褐色，散佈許多細小之黑褐色斑；背鰭硬棘部具一藍緣之大斑。

主要棲息於珊瑚繁生的陡坡區，水深4-50公尺處之水域，通常可見其在中水層的礁石洞穴內。夜行性。皮膚可分泌毒液，且當魚受驚嚇時會大量分泌。