Species: Ptereleotris randalli, Bluestripe Dartfish

Ptereleotris randalli Gasparini, Rocha & Floeter, 2001

Bluestripe Dartfish

Body very elongate, compressed; head strongly compressed, with low fleshy ridge on top; mouth strongly oblique, opens above; lower jaw protruding, chin with longitudinal fold; upper jaw with 2 rows of teeth, inner row small and with 2 canines, outer with larger canine like teeth; lower jaw, 2 rows at front, canines present, sides with a single row; dorsal fin VI + I, 24 (23-25); anal fin I, 23 (22-24); pectoral fin 21 (20-22); pelvic fins I,4, nearly separate, no anterior membrane connecting them; tail 15 segmented rays, fin long, asymmetrically shaped - pointed on top & rounded on bottom; scales very small, embedded, smooth at front, rough near tail; head scaleless; no lateral line.

Body lavender grey to pale blue; a blue line along fleshy ridge on head to 1st dorsal; blue stripe from center of eye to end of opercle; dorsal fins with bright blue margin, orange to yellow submarginal stripe inside that; juvenile with bright yellow dorsal and anal fins, blue spots on rear of dorsal, bright yellow and brown area in center of tail.

Reaches: 12.5 cm.

Habitat: Found over sandy bottoms close to reefs.

Depth: 8-65 m.

The SE Caribbean to Brazil.