Hoplolatilus fourmanoiri Smith, 1964
Yellow-spotted tilefish
photo by Marsden, A.

Family:  Malacanthidae (Tilefishes)
Max. size:  14 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 60 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Brunei (Ref. 90102), Philippines (Ref. 58652), Indonesia (Ref. 8991) and Solomon Islands (Ref. 9933); also recorded from Viet Nam (Ref. 12846).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-23; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 18-19; Vertebrae: 25-25. Preopercular serrae: 30-50. Description: Characterized by lilac color over most of body; caudal peduncle with bronzy sheen; most of caudal fin base and central portion of caudal fin covered by large black blotch; upper portion of head from snout tip to base of fifth or sixth dorsal ray covered by zone of yellow; presence of several isolated yellow spots; upper corner of gill cover with pupil-sized black spot; lower half of head and breast region silvery white; greatest depth of body 5.3-6.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found on silty sand bottoms with coral rocks (Ref. 9710). Feeds on zooplankton (Ref. 9137). Solitary or in pairs (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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