Flagtail Blanquillo

Malacanthus brevirostris is a species of tilefish from the family Malacanthidae.

Description

Malacanthus brevirostris can reach a maximum length of about 32 cm (13 in), with a common length of about 26.5 cm (10.4 in). The body color is greyish with darker bars on the sides and a yellowish tinge on head. The caudal fin shows two black stripes.They have 1-4 dorsal spines, 52-56 dorsal soft rays, one anal spines and 46 – 55 anal soft rays.

Distribution

This species is present in Indo-Pacific and Eastern Central Pacific (Red Sea to Panama, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, south to the Lord Howe and Austral islands).

Habitat

These fishes are reef-associated, with a depth range from 5 to 50 m. They mainly inhabit barren and open areas of outer reef slopes.

Biology

These fishes usually occurs in pairs and live on sand in a hole of their own construction. When threatened, they take refuge into their burrow. They have a pelagic stage to at least 5 cm. They feed on small fishes and invertebrates.