Onespot Wormfish

The Onespot Wormfish, scientifically known as Gunnellichthys monostigma, is a tropical marine fish that lives in reef-associated environments. It can typically be found in shallow waters, inhabiting depths of 1 to 20 meters (3 to 66 feet) but is most commonly found between 6 and 20 meters (20 to 66 feet). This species can grow up to a maximum length of 15 centimeters (about 6 inches).

One distinguishing feature of the Onespot Wormfish is the small dark spot located on its gill cover. The fish's dorsal fin contains 21 to 22 spines and 39 to 42 soft rays, while the anal fin lacks spines but has 38 to 43 soft rays.

The Onespot Wormfish typically inhabits coastal sand slopes that experience strong currents and is often seen over open sandy areas, occasionally with sparse plant growth. It leads a solitary lifestyle and primarily feeds on small crustaceans found at the sea bed and in open water.

This fish is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to the Marquesan and Society Islands (🇵🇫 French Polynesia), reaching north to the Ryukyu Islands (🇯🇵 Japan) and south to the southern Great Barrier Reef. There is a record of this species being found in 🇲🇺 Mauritius, although this requires further verification.