PSEUDOCHROMIDAE


Pseudochromis andamanensis, 4.4 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)



Pseudochromis andamanensis, 3.1 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Pseudochromis andamanensis
Lubbock, 1980
Andaman Dottyback

D III, 22-25; A III 13-15; P1 17-19; P2 I, 5; LLp 25-29; GR 4-6 + 11-12.

Body elongate, moderately compressed. Posterior margin of maxilla below pupil. Preopercular margin smooth. Caudal fin truncate to rounded. Scales on head and anterior part of body cycloid, remainder ctenoid; lateral line interrupted, consisting of an anterior portion rising rapidly from dorsal edge of gill opening, then continuing parallel with dorsal-fin base towards posterior part of fin, and a posterior portion on caudal peduncle and occasionally scaly base of caudal fin. Color: trunk yellowish anterodorsally, grayish posteiroly and ventrally; no distinct spots or blotches on trunk. Head greenish to orange yellow dorsally, grayish ventrally; posteiror and ventral margin of orbit with an orange line. Dorsal fin with a bright orange basal stripe. Pectoral-fin base orange. Size: maximum length 4.8 cm SL. Distribution: known from the Andaman Sea, Sumatra and Bali, Indonesia, and northwestern Australia. Remarks: relatively common in coral areas at depths of 1-35 m.