Aeoliscus punctulatus (Bianconi, 1854)
Speckled shrimpfish
Aeoliscus punctulatus
photo by Field, R.

Family:  Centriscidae (Snipefishes and shrimpfishes), subfamily: Centriscinae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea and Kenya to Algoa Bay, South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Pale green in color, with widely-spaced, small black spots (Ref. 5462).
Biology:  Found in small groups near or among long-spined sea urchins and branching corals. Feeds on planktonic crustaceans (Ref. 9710). Swims vertically, with a head-down position (Ref. 5462).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 28 October 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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