Iso rhothophilus (Ogilby, 1895)
Flower of the wave
photo by The Fish Database of Taiwan

Family:  Isonidae (Isonids)
Max. size:  7.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: around the coasts of Australia and probably throughout the Pacific Ocean as they have been collected as far north as Taiwan and Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-17; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 20-28. Teeth in jaws in single row, covering about half free edge of premaxilla. Two postmaxillary processes scarcely developed.
Biology:  Most commonly found in surf around rocky headlands and along the shoreline, occasionally also in more still waters of river mouths. Very delicate and do not survive handling. Appear to be able to hybridize with congeners, Iso flosmaris and Iso hawaiiensis. Nothing else is known about this species. (Ref. 9769).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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