Siphamia corallicola Allen, 1993
Coral siphonfish
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes), subfamily: Apogoninae
Max. size:  3.05 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 6 - 22 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Philippines and Malaysia south to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Probably occurs widely in the Indo-Malay and Melanesian archipelagos but has thus far escaped detection because of its small size and cryptic behavior.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Characterized by large red-brown blotches covering head and body; base of caudal fin covered with narrow silver spaces and faint dark spots; incomplete lateral line with 6-13 tubed scales; pattern of scattered dark brown dots on light organ; greatest depth of body 2.6-3.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits sheltered waters of lagoons and coastal inlets. Often seen in groups of approximately 30-40 individuals, hovering over pocilloporid coral Seriatopora hystrix (Ref. 11890).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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