Athena Chromis

This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XIII,10 or 11; A II,10 or 11; pectoral rays 17 or 18; spiniform caudal rays 3; tubed lateral-line scales 13 or 14; gill rakers 9 + 20 or 21 = 29 or 30; body depth 2.0-2.1 in SL; color overall dusky bluish grey, except dark grey on anterior half of head and bright yellow on nape and upper back above lateral-line; fins mainly translucent whitish except caudal fin lobes and basal portion of soft dorsal fin dark grey; color in alcohol mainly mottled brown with translucent whitish fins (Ref. 79629).Description: body moderately deep and compressed; head scaled except lips, tip of snout and a narrow zone; mouth terminal, small and oblique; opercle ending posteriorly in a flat spine; teeth multiserial (Ref. 79629).Coloration: overall dusky bluish grey, except dark grey on anterior half of head and bright yellow on nape and upper back above lateral-line scales; spinous dorsal and basal portion of soft dorsal fin dark grey, remaining portion of soft dorsal translucent white; anal fin translucent whitish; caudal fin mainly dark grey with translucent white posterior margin; pectoral and pelvic fins translucent white (Ref. 79629).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 10 - 11; Vertebrae: 26

The type locality is a steep drop-off adjacent to a small islet that is part of the Fam Group in the Raja Ampat Islands (Indonesia). About 10 individuals were observed hovering near a ledge in 62 m depth (Ref. 79629). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).