Pempheris sarayu Randall & Bineesh, 2014
Pempheris sarayu
photo by Baiju, P.T.

Family:  Pempheridae (Sweepers)
Max. size:  13 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 7 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: India.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 39-39; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI,9; A III,39; pectoral-fin rays 18-19; lateral-line scales 55; gill rakers 9 + 22; body depth 2.05 in SL; head length (HL) 3.3 in SL; dorsal profile of head is straight above eye, convex on nape; large eye with orbit diameter 7.6 in SL; caudal fin is slightly forked, fin length 4.15 in SL; pectoral fins 3.65 in SL; origin of pelvic fins is below the middle of pectoral-fin base, with prepelvic length 2.55 in HL; short pelvic fins, 1.9 in HL; preserved color (alcohol) dull orange dorsally, brassy yellow on side and ventrally; fins orangish yellow, with distal third of dorsal fin having an oval black spot; absence of the dark pigment at base or axil of pectoral fins; iris mainly yellowish; when fresh it is silvery white, each scale with a vertically elongate copper-brown spot; dorsal fin with pale orangish gray membranes and orangish rays, and a little darker at margin of fins; anal fin orangish, grading to whitish distally; caudal fin pinkish orange with a faint dusky posterior margin; pectoral fins are light pinkish brown with a curving brown band at base; pelvic fins are whitish; iris a mixture of dark yellowish brown and red (Ref. 95583).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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