| Family: |
Aploactinidae (Velvetfishes) |
| Max. size: |
4.4 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 100 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Vietnam. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 14-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIV, 10; A II,8; P 13; vertebrae 25; preopercular spines 4; vomer with teeth; lacrimale short; very weakly developed papillae on sides and lower surface of head, breast, and belly; plate of maxillare with one papilla; isthmus attaining with its apex the level of fifth mandibular pore; light brown coloration of preserved fish and darker papillae and tubules of sensory canal on the trunk; no membrane connecting D with caudal peduncle (Ref. 86262). |
| Biology: |
Only one known specimen of the new species was found in catches of local fishermen in hauls in the mouth of Be Lagoon where fishery trawlers are unloaded by fishing with small shrimp trawls at a depth not exceeding 100 m. This fishing was obviously made near to the coral bank in a rather special biotope comprising both areas of solid gravel, sand, and growth of sea vegetation, where the latter probably was well developed (Ref. 86262). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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