Pictichromis caitlinae Allen, Gill & Erdmann, 2008
Cenderawasih dottyback
photo by Malaer, P.

Family:  Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks), subfamily: Pseudochrominae
Max. size:  4.34 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 55 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Apparently restricted to Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 11-12. This species is distinguished from its congeners by having a bright yellow-orange snout/forehead, and a strongly contrasted magenta coloration over the remainder of the head and body. The species Pictichromis aurifrons has a similar yellow colour pattern, but with the remainder of the head and body being light purple to bluish grey, rather than magenta, and the gradation between the two contrasting colours is relatively gradual rather than abrupt (Ref. 74963). Description: Characterized by having 21-25 anterior lateral line scales; predorsal scales 17-21; depth of body 28.6-32.2% of SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Common in the inner portion of the bay, observed at 16 of 27 inner bay sites during the 2006 survey. This species is replaced by P. porphyrea (Lubbock & Goldman, 1974) in the outer portion of the bay (e.g. vicinity of Biak) . It occurs on relatively silty, turbid reefs at depths between about 10 and 55 m, generally around rocky outcrops (Ref. 74963).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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