Pempheris familia Koeda & Motomura, 2017
Ogasawara sweeper
Pempheris familia
photo by Motomura, H.

Family:  Pempheridae (Sweepers)
Max. size:  15.31 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 10 - 16 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan (Ogasawara Is.).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 35-36; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: lateral and ventral body scales are strongly ctenoid, adherent, with distinct basal and distal portions; abdomen cross-sectional outline U-shaped; a large ventral fenestra between coracoid and cleithrum; dorsal-fin soft rays 10; anal-fin soft rays 35-36; pored lateral-line scales 84-88; scale rows above lateral line 14-15; predorsal scales 50-55; circumpeduncular scales 26. Colouration: body orange copper; blackish blotch on fins is limited to tip of dorsal, anal and caudal fins; a distinct blackish blotch on pectoral-fin base (Ref. 123196).
Biology:  Schools in underwater rock recesses in groups of up to ca. 10 individuals, associated with very large numbers of Pempheris schwenkii being observed in the same rock recesses (Ref. 123196).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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