Species: Pseudogramma gregoryi, Reef Bass

Pseudogramma gregoryi (Breder, 1927)

Reef Bass

Body elongate, compressed; head short, compressed, forehead convex; long, slender triangular skin flap above eyer; rear of top jaw exposed when mouth closed, without accessory bone above it; small simple teeth in bands on jaws and center (V shaped) and sides of roof of mouth, with 1-2 pairs of small canines at front of top jaw; gill opening restricted above, with most of top of operculum bound to body by skin; preopercle with single large spine at upper corner; operculum without visible spines; dorsal fin VII, 18-19; anal fin III, 14-16; tail rounded; lateral line interrupted below posterior part of soft dorsal fin, reappearing lower down on side; scales small, rough; midlateral scales 42-46, lateral line scales 24-30.

Pale brown head and anterior body, a large blackish blotch on the upper corner of the operculum; body red brown, with dark + pale mottling in a network pattern; dorsal, tail and anal fins red brown; juvenile with a vertical row of black and white spots on tail fin base.

Size: attains 7.5 cm.

Habitat: a secretive dweller of crevices on reefs.

Depth: 1-85 m.

Bermuda to Brazil and Ascension Is