Acanthoplesiops hiatti Schultz, 1953
Hiatt's basslet
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Plesiopidae (Roundheads), subfamily: Acanthoclininae
Max. size:  2.4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 18 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines, Moluccas, southern Japan, Izu Islands, and Marshall Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 19-21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 3-5; Anal spines: 8-10; Anal soft rays: 3-5. Nearly all black, but a thin white line over the back from the tip of the snout and along the tips of the dorsal fin spines (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by vertebrae 13+15-17; tubed lateral line scales 7-11; sensory pores on dentary 4; without papillae present on head; depth of body at origin of dorsal fin 4.0-4.4 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Cryptic and rarely seen (Ref. 90102). Adults are found in shallow wave-washed seaward reefs; also in sheltered rubble reef slopes to at least 20 m depth (Ref. 48635). Eggs are guarded by the male parent (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Luzon and Sulu Archipelago (Ref. 90102). Also Ref. 48635.


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