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Ablabys macracanthus (Bleeker, 1852) Spiny waspfish |
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photo by
Greenfield, J. |
| Family: | Tetrarogidae (Wasp fishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 20 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m | |||
| Distribution: | Eastern Indian Ocean in the Andaman Sea (Myanmar and Thailand) and western Pacific Ocean. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Has a more anteriorly pointed dorsal fin and more rays in anal fin (Ref. 48635). Description: Characterized by having variable color, normally shades of brown color finely flecked with white; abruptly white forehead and snout; dorsal rays membrane not incised; longest is second dorsal spine, greater than head length; spinous portion of dorsal fin held fully erect; dorsal fin origin in front of eye; two spines in lacrimal, directed posteriorly; posterior lacrimal spine longer than anterior spine; short, blunt spine and four smaller ones below at border of preoperculum; depth of body 2.8-3.2 in SL (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Inshore, usually muddy-sand habitat, estuaries and coastal slopes (Ref. 48635). Sways back and forth with current surge, mimicking dead leaves and other debris (Ref 90102). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||