PTERELEOTRIDAE


Parioglossus philippinus, 2.8 cm SL
(male; photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)



Parioglossus philippinus, 2.5 cm SL
(female; photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Parioglossus philippinus
(Herre, 1945)
Philippine Dartfish

D VI + I, 16-19; A I, 16-19; P1 17-20; LR 61-81; PDS 0.

Body elongate, compressed. Head compressed; lower jaw slightly projecting anteriorly beyond upper jaw; gill opening narrow, extending ventrally to just below ventral margin of base of pectoral fin. No elongate spines on first dorsal fin; pelvic fins separated; caudal fin truncate or slightly emarginate. Scales on body small cycloid, embedded and non-imbricate; head naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; reduced transverse pattern of sensorypapillae rows on cheek. Color: head and body gray, with a vague midlateral dusky stripe posteriorly, continuous to ovoid black spot at middle of caudal-fin base. Size: 4.0 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: usually found on coral reefs n coastal areas; free swimming species, forming aggregations mixed with some congeners.