Plectranthias polygonius Shepherd, Phelps, Pinheiro, Rocha & Rocha, 2020
Polygon perchlet

Family:  Anthiadidae (Fairy basslets or Streamer basses)
Max. size:  3.23 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 105 - 120 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: French Polynesia, Tahiti and the Marshall Is.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): -10; Dorsal soft rays (total): -16; Anal spines: -3; Anal soft rays: -7; Vertebrae: -26. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: : colouration when alive, in particular the two rows of orange rhomboid-shaped polygons on the lateral part of the body and an elongated yellow and white third dorsal spine; D X,16; pectoral-fin rays 14, all unbranched; vertebrae 10 + 16; continuous lateral line with 27-30 tubed scales; circumpeduncular scales 10-11; preopercle without antrorse spines (Ref. 122130).
Biology:  Collected (with hand nets) in highly complex reefs predominantly covered by coralline algae and sponges and crevices of steep reef walls, indicating that this species probably has a wider Pacific distribution and all known individuals have been observed or collected at mesophotic depths, suggesting as with most of its congeners, this species does not inhabit shallow coral reef habitats (Ref. 122130).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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