Tosanoides obama Pyle, Green & Kosaki, 2016
Obama anthias
photo by Pyle, R.L.

Family:  Anthiadidae (Fairy basslets or Streamer basses)
Max. size:  4.32 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 90 - 92 m
Distribution:  Easten Central Pacific: Hawaii.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: 4th-5th dorsal spine the longest, D X,17; A III,8; pored lateral-line scales 33-34; head 2.9-3.0 in SL; body depth 2.8-2.9 in SL; when alive, pink or yellowish pink on head and body, slightly darker dorsally fading ventrally; snout and region immediately dorsal to eye is bright yellow, with a thin bright yellow band extending dorsally on either side of the nape; presence of a thin bright yellow horizontal stripe extending horizontally from posterior middle edge of eye posteriorly across most of operculum, continuing as a series of irregular oblong spots on midline of body from just posterior to gill opening to a point approximately one-fourth to one-half of pectoral fin; a second thin bright yellow stripe extending posteriorly from lower jaw across maxilla just ventral to eye and continuing horizontally across operculum and base of pectoral fin; the dorsal fin pink or yellowish pink with darker pink regions on membranes, and a bright magenta margin extending from tip of first dorsal fin posteriorly on anterior half of soft dorsal fin; males with a large circular ocellate spot covering the posterior one-third of soft dorsal fin, bluish magenta on perimeter and dark red with faint yellow stripes centrally; color of anal and pelvic fins magenta or yellow; the caudal fin translucent yellow, more pale and translucent medially and distally, with bright magenta margins extending along margins of both lobes (Ref. 114834).
Biology:  This species was found living among small holes in a hard limestone bottom covered with crustose calcareous algae, in areas of apparent ancient shorelines (undercut limestone ledges adjacent to sandy bottom. Male specimens were taken by hand nets, each of which were in association with a single, presumed female (Ref. 114834). FishBase common name coined by authors.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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