Atlantic Creolefish

Distinguished by the following characteristics: Head short (less than 35% of SL) (Ref. 26938); head and body reddish brown, paler ventrally; bright orange-red spot at the upper end of the pectoral-fin base; 3 widely spaced white spots between lateral line and dorsal-fin base; 2 blue lines on the cheek, one approximately horizontal and tangential to the lower edge of the eye, other along the upper edge of maxilla and continued onto the lower part of the cheek; depth of body contained 2.9-3.4 times in SL; subangular preopercle, vertical edge and rear half of lower edge finely serrate; subequal posterior and anterior nostrils (Ref. 89707).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17 - 19; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10

Cleaned by Thalassoma noronhanum observed at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago off northeastern Brazil (Ref. 36301). Cleaned by Elacatinus figaro observed off the coast of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil (Ref. 40102). Planktivore (Ref. 33499).

Inhabits coral reefs and hard bottom areas. Observed in feeding aggregations well above the reef. Feeds mainly in midwater on zooplankton (copepods, pelagic tunicates, shrimps and shrimp larvae). Retreats instantly when alarmed (Ref. 9710).

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial; bait: usually