Cocotropus astakhovi Prokofiev, 2010

Family:  Aploactinidae (Velvetfishes)
Max. size:  4.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Vietnam.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: Dorsal fin with usually 13 spiny rays, 10 soft rays, with the anterior 4 spines forming a separate lobe; A II,8; P 13; vertebrae 26, with 4 praeopecular spines; vomer with teeth; presence of developed papillae on cheeks, lower surface of the head and on the maxillare plate; isthmus whose apex, by far, does not reach the level of the fifth mandibular pore. This species is represented by a dark morph and a light morph (Ref. 86262).
Biology:  This species, by all probability, keeps at gravel sites at the boundary of the coral reef and of sands on coral banks (Ref. 86262).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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