Diancistrus tongaensis Schwarzhans, Møller & Nielsen, 2005
Tonga coralbrotula
Diancistrus tongaensis
photo by W. Schwarzhans et al.

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  4.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.8 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m
Distribution:  Central Pacific: New Caledonia to southern Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa; tentatively Santa Cruz Islands (Vanikolo), Vanuatu (Banks Islands), Phoenix Islands (Kiribati), Wallis Island and Tahiti.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 71-80; Anal soft rays: 57-66; Vertebrae: 39-42. This species is characterized by the following: vertebrae 11+(28)29-31=(39) 40-42, dorsal fin rays 71-80, anal fin rays 57-66; small eyes (1.3-2.3% SL); outer pseudoclasper with large ear-lobe extension, ventrally opening; inner pseudoclasper free from outer pseudoclasper, with supporter, forming a broad, distally expanded, not inclined flap, with short thorn; narrow scale patch on cheek, no scales on operculum; head profile slender; otolith length to height ratio 1.9-2.0 (Ref. 57884).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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