Description

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22 - 24; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14; Vertebrae: 28 - 29. Head and body with small, bright blue spots. Uninterrupted lower lip at symphysis. Dorsal and anal rays mostly unbranched and segmented. Upper part of caudal fin with 4-5 procurrent rays and 9 principal rays; the lower part with 4-5 procurrent and 8 principal rays. Disjunct lateral line; anterodorsal series of 33-43 (usually 36-40) tubed scales extending from gill opening. Usually 19 or 20 circumpeduncular scales (Ref. 37748).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Ovalentaria/misc

Family: Pseudochromidae

Genus: Assiculus

Species: Assiculus punctatus Richardson, 1846

Climate Zone

Location

• Indo-Pacific: endemic to Western Australia and Queensland.

Biology

Occurs inshore near reefs (Ref. 7300) and weed bed areas; usually in relatively silty waters at depths up to 30 m. A secretive species usually found at highly eroded limestone reef and rocks (Ref. 37748).

Habitat

associated

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless