Liopropoma eukrines

Liopropoma eukrines
Wrasse Basslet – Liopropoma eukrines
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
EpinephelidaeLiopropoma eukrines(Starck & Courtenay)1962Wrasse Basslet

All Liopropoma Species: Dorsal fin with 8 spines and 12 or 13 rays; dorsal fin divided to the base between spinous and soft-rayed parts; anal fin with 3 spines and 6-13 rays. Most of upper edge of operculum free, not connected by skin to body. Caudal fin truncate. Head length contained 2.3-3.3 times in standard length. Preopercle without a large antrorse spine in most species; middle opercle spine not reaching edge of operculum. Front nostrils distinctly tubular, located closer to upper lip than to rear nostrils. Dorsal fin with 8 spines and 12 or 13 rays; dorsal fin divided to the base between spinous and soft-rayed parts (FAO 2002).

Liopropoma eukrines

Unique Characters: Broad yellow-edged, dark reddish brown midlateral stripe from tip of snout to caudal fin. Soft dorsal and anal fins immaculate; rear margin of caudal fin white, with a submarginal black area merging with the dark brown midlateral stripe.

Similar Species:

Liopropoma aberrans, Eyestripe Basslet

Liopropoma aberrans, Eyestripe Bass. Source: Fishbase (https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Liopropoma-aberrans).
Liopropoma aberrans, Eyestripe Bass. Source: Fishbase (https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Liopropoma-aberrans).

Eyestripe Basslet, Liopropoma aberrans. No midlateral dark stripe. Head and body rosy orange. Dorsal body scales with a yellow spot, which change to orange below lateral line. Median fins yellow. Yellow stripe from tip of snout to opercle.

Liopropoma mowbrayi, Cave Basslet

Liopropoma mowbrayi, Cave Basslet. Source: Woods & Kanazawa 1951.
Liopropoma mowbrayi, Cave Basslet. Source: Woods & Kanazawa 1951.

Cave Basslet, Liopropoma mowbrayi. No midlateral dark stripe. Head and body salmon to dark red or reddish grey. Yellow band from tip of snout to eye. Fins orange or reddish. Rear margin of caudal fin white, with a submarginal black zone. Small black spot at margin of soft dorsal fin; (some specimens also have a black spot at anal-fin margin).