Species: Parahollardia schmidti, Three-line Spikefish

Parahollardia schmidti Woods, 1959

Three-line Spikefish

Body deep, slightly compressed; space between eyes more or less flat; front head profile not very steep (~35 degrees); mouth small, opens at front; teeth conical, 2 series on each jaw, 2-4 (1-10) teeth inside continuous outer row; top teeth 13 (11-15), bottom teeth 15.5 (10-20); gill opening a short vertical slit before pectoral base; gill rakers 14 (12-17); dorsal fin origin usually before top edge of pectoral base; VI dorsal spines, the first long and strong, decreasing in size to rear, spines can be locked upright, 15-16 soft rays; pectoral 13 (12-14) rays; anal fin 14 (13-15); fin rays branched; pelvic fin with a large spine and 1 inconspicuous ray; ventral surface of scale-covered part of pelvis triangular in cross section; skin thick, rough, covered with numerous small scales, each with tiny spines; skin over eyes usually with 1-2 patches of scales.

Head & body yellowish tan; mature males with 3 irregular broad pink lines along nape, upper head, body and tail base; iris pale brown, with a thin inner gold ring; rays of dorsal, tail and anal fins white; inside gill chamber variable, a few dark areas to all dark; lining of stomach cavity light tan, speckled with darker tan.

Reaches 10 cm.

Lives on soft bottoms.

Depth range: 140-550 m.

W Caribbean.