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Coral brotula (Dinematichthys iluocoeteoides) — Bythitidae

Coral brotula

Dinematichthys iluocoeteoides
Family: Bythitidae
LC · Least Concern

The Coral brotula (Dinematichthys iluocoeteoides) is a saltwater fish of the family Bythitidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The coral brotula is a small, shy fish of the family Bythitidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 12 cm and has an elongate, yellow to reddish body with a continuous fin margin. It is strictly associated with true reef environments and lives cryptically in deep crevices and cavities of lagoon and seaward reefs, to at least 30 m deep. Owing to its retiring habits it is rarely seen. Notable is its reproduction: unlike most reef fishes the species is ovoviviparous and bears live young, an adaptation to hidden life in crevices.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coral brotula?

The Coral brotula has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Coral brotula live?

The Coral brotula lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Coral brotula get?

The Coral brotula grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Coral brotula dangerous to humans?

No, the Coral brotula is harmless to humans.

Is the Coral brotula edible?

The Coral brotula is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Koraalbrotula sourced
English name
Coral brotula verified
Scientific name
Dinematichthys iluocoeteoides
Family
Bythitidae
Other names
Hump-backed dwarf brotula; Small eye brotula; Yellow dwarf brotula; Yellow pigmy brotula verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Bythitidae

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