Coppery Siphonfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: D1 VII, D2 I,9; A II,8; pectoral fin rays 14-16; tubed lateral-line scales 20-24; median predorsal scales 4 (rarely 3 or 5); total gill rakers 2-4 + 8-10 = 11-14; developed gill rakers 1 + 7-9; gill rakers on ceratobranchial 7-8; body depth 2.3-2.7 in SL and body width 1.9-2.2 in the depth; eye diameter 2.6-3.5 in HL; first dorsal spine 2.4-4.6 in second spine; second dorsal spine 3.7-6.6, second dorsal fin spine 3.7-5.4, second anal spine 5.0-7.0, all in head length; pectoral-fin length 4.2-5.3 and pelvic-fin length 4.2-4.7 in SL; caudal peduncle length 1.5-2.1 in distance between pelvic spine insertion and anal-fin origin; preopercular edge with 23-35 serrations, the preopercular ridge smooth; scales mostly spinoid, but some cycloid scales on anterior part of body; vomer and palatines with 1-2 series of small teeth, but palatines sometimes toothless; tip of light organ on each side of tongue bound by membrane (Ref. 90035).

Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8

A rare species occurring in small groups exclusively among the spines of Diadema setosum in shallow sheltered waters (Ref. 1602).

Found in coastal reefs and outer reef lagoons. This species forms small groups with long-spined urchins (Ref. 48635) (e.g. Diadema setosum in shallow sheltered waters, Ref. 1602); but was also found among the spines of Acanthaster planci (Ref. 90035). Feeds on zooplanktons and small invertebrates (Ref. 89972).

分布於印度-西太平洋區，西起馬爾地夫，東至馬里安納群島，北至台灣、日本，南迄澳洲。台灣分布於南部及東北海域。

無任何經濟價值。

體橢圓，高而側扁。前鰓蓋骨邊緣鋸齒，鰓蓋脊(ridge)部分平滑。上主上頜骨缺如；主上頜骨達眼睛中央的下方。口蓋骨有齒。具細菌發光型之發光器。鱗易脫落。D. VII-I，8-9；A. II，8-9；P. 13-14；Ll. 20-23；Rred. 5.1；GR. 1+1+6-8。體棕色，體側有縱線，死後體色改變。

主要棲息於礁區，經常成群和海膽共棲。以浮游動物或其它底棲無脊椎動物為食。