New Zealand pygmy sleeper (Thalasseleotris iota)

Scientific name: Thalasseleotris iota Hoese & Roberts, 2005

The New Zealand pygmy sleeper (Thalasseleotris iota) is a marine fish of the family Eleotridae. Native range: Southwest Pacific, New Zealand.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Diagnosis: This species differs from T. adela Hoese & Larson, 1987, in having a narrower gill opening, extending forward to below posterior margin of eye or slightly behind eye (vs. under middle of eye); less extensively scaled body, with naked area reaching to below second dorsal origin or beyond (vs. near end of first dorsal fin); higher transverse scale count (usually 7 - 8 vs. 6 - 7); modally lower vertebral count (10+16 vs. 10+17); anterior nasal tube distinctly longer than posterior nasal tube (vs. subequal); two anal pterygiophores before first haemal spine (vs. 1); uppermost scale and lowermost scale on base of caudal fin with enlarged peripheral cteni (vs. no enlarged peripheral cteni). There are several color differences, including: lacking a black spot posteriorly on the first dorsal fin; usually 5 - 6 small black more or less rounded spots on the ventra

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Thalasseleotris iota
Family
Eleotridae (Sleepers)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
3.3
Depth range
2–34 m (7–112 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 34 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Southwest Pacific: New Zealand.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

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