Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Prominent barbel at tip of lower jaw. Dorsal fin preceded by 8-13 well-spaced, isolated spines (Ref. 26938)
- Recorder
- Grace Tolentino Pablico
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Oviparous, gonochorous, with pelagic eggs (Ref. 101194).
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 25; Analsoft rays: 21 - 25
- Recorder
- Grace Tolentino Pablico
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Commonly found in weedy areas and especially around reefs, where they usually swim snout-down among sea whips (gorgonians). A solitary ambusher of small fishes and crustaceans that lurk among branching coral or gorgonians. Often swims behind large herbivorous fishes to sneak up on prey. Mouth opens to diameter of body to suck in prey (Ref. 9710). Carnivore (Ref. 57616).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Commonly found in weedy areas and especially around reefs, where they usually swim snout-down among sea whips (gorgonians). A solitary ambusher of small fishes and crustaceans that lurk among branching coral or gorgonians. Often swims behind large herbivorous fishes to sneak up on prey. Mouth opens to diameter of body to suck in prey (Ref. 9710). Marketed locally. Has been traded as an aquarium fish at Ceará, Brazil (Ref. 49392).
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: unknown; price reliability:
