Bicoloured Dottyback, Pictichromis coralensis (Axelrod, 1973)
Royal Dottyback, Bicolor Cichlops, Two-colour Dottyback, Two-tone Dottyback
It looks similar to the Royal Dottyback, Pseudochromis paccagnellae.
Introduction
The Bicoloured Dottyback can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. The name 'coralensis' refers to the Coral Sea.
Identification
The Bicoloured Dottyback is bright purple anteriorly and changes abruptly to yellow on the back half of the fish.
Habitat
the Bicoloured Dottyback is found in coastal and offshore coral reefs.
Distribution
The species occurs in tropical marine waters of Australia and New Caledonia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.