Brazilian Dartfish

This species is distinguished from its Atlantic congeners by having the following characters: dorsal and anal fins with bright orange-yellow submarginal bands; second dorsal and anal fins comparatively low, slightly elevated anteriorly; short caudal fin, 5ht and 6th rays prolonged as filaments; short pelvic fins, about the same length as pectorals (Ref. 84213).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22 - 24; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 21 - 23

Planktivore (Ref. 126840).

Used in the aquarium trade under the name Opistognathus leitoso. The population is declining fast in some areas of the Brazilian coast (mainly off the States of Espirito Santo and Bahia) due to commercial exploration of the calcareous algae banks. This species hovers over its burrow feeding on plankton and dives headfirst in to the burrow when threatened. Found usually over sandy bottom close to reefs, but also common over sand patches as small as 10 cm in diameter, enclosed by rocky areas or in calcareous algae (Lithothamnion sp.) banks (Ref. 84213). Maximum depth from Ref. 126840.

aquarium: commercial

Ptereleotris randalli, the Brazilian dartfish, is a fish belonging to the family Gobiidae and subfamily Ptereleotrinae. Like other dartfishes, it lives over sand and rubble bottoms, and quickly retreats into holes when approached. It was originally thought to be restricted to Brazil, south to Santa Catarina, but recently reported for the southern Caribbean, where it's found at depths of 8-60m.