Ogilbia boehlkei Møller, Schwarzhans & Nielsen, 2005
Boehlke's coralbrotula
Ogilbia boehlkei
photo by Møller, P.R.

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 16 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Bahamas, Colombia and off Puerto Rico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 75-84; Anal soft rays: 54-64; Vertebrae: 42-45. This species is characterized by the following: Vertebrae 12-13 + 29-33 = 42-45, dorsal fin rays 75-84, anal fin rays 54-64; outer pseudoclasper is wingshaped with a curved supporter anteriorly; inner pseudoclasper club-shaped, with prominent appendix inserted at posterodistal angle; a small fleshy lobe at base of hood adjacent to outer pseudoclasper; opercular spine very broad, usually 2-4 furcated in large (> 50 mm SL) specimens; scale patch on cheeks with 5-7 vertical scale rows; head and body mucus with dark brown pigment globules, especially near anal opening (Ref. 57883).
Biology:  Inhabits coral reefs. A 62 mm SL female specimen (ANSP 115182) contained about 100 embryos (3-4 mm TL) and about 50 eggs (diameter 0.5 mm). The embryos with brown eyes, but no pigmentation on head and body is probably due to the 44 years of preservation (Ref. 57883).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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