Kanekonia leichhardti Johnson, 2013
Leichhardt’s velvetfish

Family:  Aploactinidae (Velvetfishes)
Max. size:  3.58 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 45 - 63 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): -8; Anal spines: -1; Anal soft rays: 7-8; Vertebrae: 25-26. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: D XII-XIII,8i; A I,71-8i; pectoral-fin rays 15; pelvic-fin rays I,2; gill rakers on first gill arch 1-2 + 5-7 = 6-8; lateral-line tubes 8-9; total vertebrae including urostyle 25-26; long snout 2.9-3.1 in head length; narrow head and body, body width 2.0-2.2 in HL; predorsal profile slightly notched; interorbital ridges are not prominently sculptured, converging anteriorly to form inverted Y shape, symphysis above a vertical from middle of the eye and continuing as a single ridge to the base of first dorsal-fin spine; smooth skin with minute, sparsely-distributed velvety scales (Ref. 95039).
Biology:  Specimens were collected by a benthic dredge from gritty sandy bottom (Ref. 95039).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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