Paracentropogon longispinis (Cuvier, 1829)
Wispy waspfish
photo by Greenfield, J.

Family:  Tetrarogidae (Wasp fishes)
Max. size:  13 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 70 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: southern India to southern China and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Geographical differences: specimens from the Gulf of Thailand usually with large blotches over the body; those from Indonesia and Australia generally have less solid markings. Species observed to alter its color from light to dark in captivity. Scales in vertical rows, 44-66 (Ref. 39597). Description: Characterized by deeply incised dorsal ray membranes of spinous portion; dorsal fin origin above centre of eye; two spines of lacrimal directed posteriorly; strong spine at border of preoperculum; depth of body 3.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found inshore on and around corals and hard bottoms (Ref. 39597), silty and muddy habitats (Ref. 48635). Often taken by nets and handlines (Ref. 39597). Also found in rocky bottoms and coral reef crevices in about 7-70 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.