| Family: |
Tripedaliidae () |
| Max. size: |
1.4 cm WD (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic; marine |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific and Western Central Atlantic. |
| Diagnosis: |
|
| Biology: |
Known for its unique courtship behavior (Ref. 116531). Strictly night active; sits inactively, attached to its substrate during the day. Co-localized (in Okinawa) with the bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrocystis noctiluca which is constantly induced to emit light by encounters with planktonic crustaceans. Behavioral experiment validated its use of vision while hunting: it locates high-prey densities using abundant bioluminescent signals/flashes from P. noctiluca. Predominantly associated with coral reefs where it hunts largely for different planktonic crustaceans in surface waters at night (Ref. 116832). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
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