TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Microdesmidae (Wormfishes)
Genus/species: Ptereleotris zebra
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Elongated and compressed body with a Yellowish to greenish gray color and a series of narrow orange to pinkish bars edged with blue or purple along the sides A broad blue-edged dark reddish to purple area is below the eye. A chin barbel is
followed by a median longitudinal fold. Max length: 4.7 inches.
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and islands in the western Indian Ocean to the Line and Marquesan Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef. Found over exposed seaward reefs in relatively shallow water. Depth range 2 – 31 m (6-100 feet).
DIET: Zooplankton. Small schools hover several feet above the substrate capturing morsels the current carries to them.
CONSERVATION: Not evaluated
REMARKS: The common name of the genus is “dartfish,” derived from the group’s habit of darting between rocks or into rubble when frightened.
Philippine Coral Reef PR04
References
fishbase http://www.fishbase.org/summary/4384
WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1fF
flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/2985357026/in/set-72157625992053826/
Ron's Critter of the Day 