Apogonichthyoides melas (Bleeker 1848)

Description: Characterized by tall, rounded dorsal fins; broad rounded tail lobes; overall dark brown coloration with pale-edged black spot at second dorsal fin base; turn pale at night with 2-3 dark bars; greatest depth of body 2.3-3.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8

Nocturnal species (Ref. 75154) which is found in inshore rocky areas and among branching corals (Ref. 9710).

Found in shallow well protected coastal bays, commonly found under jetties, hiding in dark areas (Ref. 48635); also in inshore rocky areas and among branching coral (Ref. 9710).

分布於西太平洋區，西起馬來西亞至摩鹿加，北自南日本、台灣、菲律賓至新加勒多尼亞附近海域等。台灣分布於澎湖海域。

無任何經濟價值。

體長圓而側扁。頭大。吻長。眼大。D. VII-I，8；A. II，8；P. 14；Ll. 24；Tr 2/6；GR. (3)4+1+17(1)；HL. 2.44；BD. 2.35 inSL；ED. 2.68；SnL. 5.85；IS. 3.86 in HL。體暗棕色，惟沿側線區域稍淡；頭部無任何明顯記號，惟自眼眶骨(suborbital)到前鰓蓋角有散亂不規則之黑線向後延伸；除胸鰭透明外，其它各鰭色暗或呈黑色；成魚之第二背鰭及臀鰭的基部各有一顯著黑色大眼斑。

主要棲息於沿岸淺而受保護的海灣內或沿岸枝狀珊瑚區。以多毛類以及其它小型底棲無脊椎動物為食。