Pseudochromis jace Allen, Gill & Erdmann, 2008
Zippered dottyback
Pseudochromis jace
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks), subfamily: Pseudochrominae
Max. size:  6.25 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 38 - 52 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: New Guinea, Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-26; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-15. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D III,26, all segmented rays branched; A III,15; 30-34 scales in lateral series; 18-20 circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 6 + 13; teeth of outer ceratobranchial-1 gill rakers well developed on raker tips only; rounded caudal fin with pointed tip; basal one-fifth to one-third of dorsal fin with dark stripe. The new species appears to be closely related to P. pictus (Alor, Indonesian) and P. reticulatus (off NW coast of Australia); where the 3 have similar preserved and probably live coloration (unknown for P. reticulatus), similar morphometric and meristic values, and share an unusual rounded caudal fin with a pointed tip. P. reticulatus is distinctive in having only 16 circumpeduncular scales (vs. 18-20 in P. jace, and 20 in P. pictus (Ref. 74964).
Biology:  Observed on rubble slopes at depths of 38 to 52 m; solitarily or in pairs around isolated rock-coral outcrops on otherwise low-profile sand/rubble bottoms (Ref. 74964).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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