White Spine Butterfyfsh

This species is distinguished by the following characters: non-pored lateral-line scales 5–8; scale rows above lateral line 11-12 and below lateral line 22-28; scale rows under longer axis of black blotch on dorsal-fn soft-rayed portion 10-12; head depth 46.2-54.9% (mean 51.6%) of SL; postorbital short, length 12.1-14.1% (13.1%) of SL; long snout, its length 33.2-38.7% (35.6%) of HL; short pectoral-fin, its length 27.9-32.4% (29.5%) of SL; anterior margin of second body band does not reach anteroventrally to pelvic-fin spine base; pelvic-fin spine and first pelvic-fin soft ray is white and remaining soft rays and membranes entirely black; membranes associated with first and second dorsal-fin spines are blackish distally; second and third body bands without blackish edges (Ref. 123118).

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 22; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 16 - 17

Taken in by bottom trawls, thus indicating a sandy bottom habitat. Also, photos taken of this species were from rocky bottom areas in fairly deep water and were observed occurring in pairs (Ref. 123118).