Gnatholepis ophthalmotaenia (Bleeker 1854)

This moderate-sized (up to 55 mm SL) species has a distinctive colour pattern: in males, with 6 broad vertical dark blotchy bars along mid-side of body, several staggered rows of black spots along the dorsal part of the body, 1-4 irregular rows of golden yellow (in life) spots along lower half of body, 2 characteristic small black spots at base of first dorsal fin, and 1-3 staggered rows of oval black ocellate spots on anal fin (in life, red, blue and yellow may surround black spots); in females, with vertical dark body bars much paler and red and yellow markings much less distinct; D2 and anal fin rays nearly always I,11; pectoral rays 15-17 (usually 16); lateral scales 24-30 (usually 26); predorsal scales 9-10 (usually 8-9), ctenoid and cycloid (Ref. 92171).

Found in shallow waters, from reef tidepools, among seagrass, in shallow mangroves and (usually) sand and coral rubble reef substrates at depths of 0.2-12 m (Ref. 92171).

Found in shallow waters, from reef tidepools, among seagrass, in shallow mangroves and (usually) sand and coral rubble reef substrates at depths of 0.2-12 m (Ref. 92171).

本種之模式標本採自菲律賓，但以損毀，新模則採自台灣墾丁地區。