Blacktail dottyback (Pseudochromis melanurus)

Scientific name: Pseudochromis melanurus Gill, 2004

Blacktail dottyback (Pseudochromis melanurus)

The Blacktail dottyback (Pseudochromis melanurus) is a marine fish of the family Pseudochromidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Fiji and Tonga.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14; Vertebrae: 26 - 27. This species distinguished by the following characters: 21-22 (rarely 21) segmented dorsal-fin rays; 12-14 (rarely 12 or 14) segmented anal fin rays; weakly pungent to flexible anal spines, the second one varying from about as stout to less stout than the third; 29-35 (usually 30-33) scales in lateral series; 23-28 (usually 24-27) anterior lateral line scales; 10-12 scales below anterior lateral line; males with distinct coloration, head and body dark grey to black (dark brown to black when preserved), the lower part of head and body in front to anal-fin origin yellowish brown (when preserved pale brown to brown).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pseudochromis melanurus
Family
Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
4.0
Depth range
0–10 m (0–33 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 10 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Pacific: Fiji and Tonga.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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