Encheliophis vermiops Markle & Olney, 1990
Pygmy pearlfish

Family:  Carapidae (Pearlfishes), subfamily: Carapinae
Max. size:  14 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: known from 2 adults from the Great Barrier Reef and one juvenile from Inhaca Island, Mozambique.
Diagnosis:  Eel-like, moderate to shallow body depth; maxilla adnate or nearly so; cardiform teeth present; branchiostegal membranes partly or completely united; swim bladder with thin terminal membrane or bulb; lacking enlarged dentary or premaxillary fangs, dentary diastema, pelvic fins, and swim bladder rocker bone (Ref. 34024). Dentary and palatine with tightly spaced triangular teeth; 16 vertebrae in front of dorsal fin origin (Ref. 34024).
Biology:  A benthic species found in coral reefs (Ref. 75154). Rare species which may be a commensal in burrowing holothurians (Ref. 34024, 75154). Probably a dwarf species (Ref. 34024).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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