Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Characterized by semi-translucent body with irregular, internal reddish midlateral stripe; white stripe along spinal column interrupted by reddish bars that extend ventrally; row of small reddish spots along dorsal midline; usually with narrow reddish bars above anal fin; often prolonged and filamentous first four dorsal spines of male and first three of female; unbranched pectoral rays; longitudinal scale series 21-24; ctenoid scales, absent on head , nape and pectoral fin base; depth of body 4.3-5.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
- Recorder
- Cristina V. Garilao
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8
- Recorder
- Cristina V. Garilao
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Occurs at depths less than 4 to between 17 and 21 m on sandy bottoms of lagoon reefs (Ref. 1602, 37816).
- Recorder
- Grace Tolentino Pablico
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Adults live for 59 days at the most, with larvae spending three weeks in the open ocean and maturing within two weeks of settling on a reef, leaving the adults (which are 1 to 2 centimeters long) just three weeks to reproduce. This strategy of 'live fast, die young' is perceived to be a response to intense predation. Daily mortality rate, from tag-recapture data, might be as high as 8% (Ref. 54199). Occur at depths less than 4 to between 17 and 21 m on sandy bottoms of lagoon reefs (Ref. 1602, 37816, 48637). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018. Spawning appears to be repeated on a regular cycle, semilunar or every 14 days (Ref. 116739).
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli