Redtipped Longfin

Plesiops coeruleolineatus, commonly known as the crimsontip longfin or coral devil, is a notable species within the Plesiopidae family.

This species exhibits an elongated body, attaining lengths between 8.5 and 10 cm (3.3 to 3.9 inches). Its coloration varies, but it typically features a black or brown body accented by two distinct dark stripes located posterior to the eyes. The dorsal spines are characterized by orange or red tips, which are outlined below by a white line. Additionally, a bluish stripe adorns the basal part of the dorsal fin.

The crimsontip longfin is prevalent throughout the Indo-Pacific region, with a distribution range extending from the 🌊 Red Sea and East Africa to the 🇼🇸 Samoa Islands, Oceania, and southern 🇯🇵 Japan, reaching as far south as Queensland, 🇦🇺 Australia. Specific documented locations include Cargados Carajos, Comoros, 🇪🇷 Eritrea, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇲🇬 Madagascar, 🇲🇺 Mauritius, 🇲🇿 Mozambique, Réunion, and the 🇸🇨 Seychelles.

Despite its abundance, Plesiops coeruleolineatus is a notably secretive species. It inhabits shallow, outer-reef environments at depths ranging from 1 to 23 meters, predominantly between 3 and 23 meters. During daylight hours, it typically seeks refuge beneath coral and stones in lagoons and flood basins, sometimes appearing when rubble is disturbed in pools. The species becomes more active at night, emerging to feed on fish, gastropods, and small crustaceans. Notably, the male assumes responsibility for guarding the eggs.