Common Name
Boehlke's Coralbrotula
Year Described
Møller, Schwarzhans & Nielsen, 2005
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 75-84
Anal Fin: 54-64
Caudal Fin: 16-17
Pectoral Fin: 19-23
Vertebrae: 42-45
Gill Rakers: 12-17
Diagnosed by: anterior nostril very close to upper lip. Eye is 2.1-3.1% SL. Premaxillary, dentary, vomer, and palatine with multiple rows of teeth each. Male genitalia described as: “outer pseudoclasper wing- shaped with single curved anteriorly; inner pseudoclasper club-shaped, with prominent appendix inserted at posterodistal angle; small fleshy lobe at base of hood adjacent to outer pseudoclasper…” Opercular spine very broad, coming to 2-4 points (more in larger fish). Scales on cheek number 5-7. Six infraorbital pores, four supraorbital pores, six mandibular pores, and four preopercular pores. Caudal fin not confluent with dorsal or anal fins. Pectoral fin 12.1-15.2% SL. Anal fin origin at midbody. Pelvic fin reaches anus. Predorsal area, abdomen, and outer pectoral base scaled. Fins naked. About 23 scale rows vertically from dorsal fin to anal fin origin (Møller et al., 2005).
Color
Body uniformly brown with yellowish fins.
Size
Specimens range from 18-78mm SL
Habitat
Inhabits shallow coral reefs (0-16m)
Range
Known from scattered localities in the Caribbean Sea: the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Providence islands off Colombia.
References
Møller, P. R., Schwarzhans, W., & Nielsen, J. G. 2005. Review of the American Dinematichthyini (Teleostei: Bythitidae). Part II. Ogilbia. aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology, 10(4), 133-207.