Emblemariopsis occidentalis

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. Orbital cirri present.
2. Cranial pattern with central spot surrounded by curved lines.
3. Breeding males with a thin orange banner with lower white line.

Physical description:

Simple nasal and orbital cirri.
Females: first 2 dorsal spines elevated, ~2x height of following.

Colouration:

Females: largely transparent. Red vertebral column with white dashes. Lower ead and jaws with black/red spots. Cranial pattern pink with a central spot surrounded by curved lines. First few spines with white membrane.
Breeding males: black head and front of body. Front of dorsal fin black with thin orange banner which has a lower white margin.

Size:

Reaches 2.3 cm.

Habitat:

Found in broken limestone bottoms and in patchy reefs. Breeding males found in holes.