Spotted sand-diver

The spotted sand-diver (Trichonotus setiger) is a perciform fish in the family Trichonotidae. T. setiger is the type species of genus Trichonotus.

Description
Spotted sand-divers reach a maximum length of 22 cm. They have 39 to 41 soft dorsal spines. Males can be distinguished from females by their long dorsal fin rays and larger size.

Distribution
T. setiger can be found from the Persian Gulf to Queensland and Melanesia

Habits
Spotted sand-divers occur in large groups where there are steep sand slopes. They hover above clean sandy substrates and dive into the sand when disturbed. The habitat usually contains some silt. They are normally observed resting on sea bed, leaving substrate to catch zooplankton, or to display. Some species in the genus Trichonotus are protogynous hermaphrodites.