Pseudochromis punctatus Kotthaus, 1970
Blackback dottyback

Family:  Pseudochromidae (Dottybacks), subfamily: Pseudochrominae
Max. size:  10.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 65 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Somalia and Juzor al Hallaniyat (Kuria Muria Islands), Western Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-26; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-15; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished from its congeners by having the following characters: head and body grey to black dorsally; brownish yellow to pale pink or whitish ventrally, the 2 separated by a yellow stripe; dorsal and anal fins with dark brown to black spots; 26 segmented dorsal-fin rays and 15 for anal-fin rays; 17-19 (usually 18) pectoral-fin rays; horizontal scale rows above anal-fin origin 12-14 + 1 + 2-3 = 16-18; anterior lateral line scales 32-35; posterior 5-11 + 0-2; predorsal scales 16-20 (Ref. 81967, 11441).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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