Albula koreana Kwun & Kim, 2011
Korean bonefish
photo by Kwun, H.J. & Kim, J.K.

Family:  Albulidae (Bonefishes), subfamily: Albulinae
Max. size:  35.01 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific Ocean: Korea and Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 77-78. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: anterior contour of the lower jaw rather pointed; posterior tip of the pelvic fin reaching anterior margin of the anus; anterior tip of the tooth patch on mesopterygoid in front of the tooth patch on the parasphenoid; 77-80 pored lateral line scales; 77-78 vertebrae; body elongated, slightly compressed; conical snout, inferior mouth; 2 nostrils on each side, anterior and posterior ones separated by membrane, posterior one larger than anterior one; protruding upper jaw, maxillary not reaching to anterior border of eye; small patches of villiform teeth on upper and lower jaw; well-developed adipose tissue covering eyes and around eyes, except the pupil; small and rudimentary gill rakers; all fins comprising only soft fin rays; large dorsal fin, located in the middle part of body; anal fin small, located in the posterior part of body; dorsal and anal fin rays gradually become short posteriorly, but last dorsal and anal fin rays slightly elongated; pectoral fin positioned at the ventral part of body; pelvic fin abdominal, its origin below the 12th dorsal fin ray; well-developed axillary scales at the upper base of pectoral and pelvic fins; deeply forked caudal fin, upper lobe slightly longer than lower lobe; body fully covered with cycloid scales, except head and fins (exposed); lateral and dorsal scales with 3 grooves inside, but the lateral scales on the outside exposed region are shorter than the dorsal scales; pored lateral line begins at the upper margin of operculum, extending beyond the caudal fin base in a straight line (Ref. 87083).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 31 May 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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