Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8. Characterized by having dorsal fin rays VI-I, 9; anal fin rays II,8; pectoral fin rays 12; pelvic fin rays I, 5; pored lateral line scales 24-25; predorsal scales 6; circumpeduncular scales 12; large canine-like teeth on jaws; serrated preopercular margin; characterized further by pale grey color to whitish with five narrow black stripes; base of caudal fin yellow; greatest depth of body 3.1-3.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Kurtiformes

Family: Apogonidae

Genus: Cheilodipterus

Species: Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Cuvier, 1828

Climate Zone

Location

• Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to Mozambique (Ref. 4329) and eastward to the Pitcairn Group, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island and Rapa.

Biology

Inhabits reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of 40 m or more. Occurs singly or in small to large aggregations, taking shelter in dark crevices, branched coral, under ledges, and among the spines of Diadema setosum. Nocturnal species (Ref. 7300). Feeds on small crustaceans and gastropods, also on small fishes. Generally common (Ref. 9710). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35404).

Habitat

associated

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless