Diplogrammus paucispinis Fricke & Bogorodsky, 2014
Saudi Arabian dragonet

Family:  Callionymidae (Dragonets)
Max. size:  3.94 cm SL (male/unsexed); 4.03 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 8 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Saudi Arabia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal soft rays: 7-7. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IV, 8; A 7; presence of free opercular flap of skin and branches of lateral line; preopercular spine with an upcurved main tip, first dorsal fin with a filament in males, none in females; first spine significantly longer than the second and third, and first ray of the second dorsal fin in males; in both sexes, caudal fin elongate and pointed; body below ventrolateral fold of skin color white or yellowish; anal fin of males translucent with broadly black margin; no bluish lines on head and/or body in males except for a short oblique blue bar at corner of mouth (Ref. 96762).
Biology:  Occurs in shallow waters, on coral gravel or silty sand bottom near coral reefs (Ref. 96762)
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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