Emblemaria caldwelli

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. First 3 dorsal spines suddenly elevated.
2. Cirri striped red and white.
3. Continuous brown dots on head.
4. White lines radiating from eye.

Physical description:

Nasal cirri simple and long. Orbital cirri long, ~2x length of nasal cirri, and unbranched. Dorsal spines I-III elevated in a rectangular shape.
Males: first dorsal spine longest.
Females: second dorsal spine longest.

Colouration:

Reddish-orange on head and front body. Posterior body a translucent yellow. Red vertebral column red with white dashes. Belly red with large white blotches. Rows of white spots along upper and lower body. Head and front of body with continuous brown spots. 4 white/blue lines radiate from eye - one behind to cheek, two below to lower jaw and one ahead to front of upper lip. Cirri red with white/blue stripes.
Males: elevated dorsal fin black with 4 horizontal stripes.
Females: elevated dorsal fin black but with a cream base to the membranes.

Size:

Reaches 3.1 cm.

Habitat:

Found below drop-offs on bottoms of sand and gravel.