Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Gobiiformes (Order) > Apogonoidei (Suborder) > Apogonidae (Family) > Apogoninae (Subfamily) > Cheilodipterus (Genus)

Poisson cardinal d'Allen, Allen's cardinalfish, 艾倫氏巨牙天竺鯛, 艾伦氏巨牙天竺鲷

Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8-9; Pectoral fin rays: 13; Lateral line scales: 28; Developed gill rakers: 12-15. Preopercular edge serrate; Tongue and anterior surface of vomer pigmented. Max. length: 22.0 cm TL. Depth range: 10 - 40 m.

Color
Body pale with 8 golden brown stripes, 5 of which ending on caudal fin base. Stripes below middle of body equal to or slightly wider than interspaces. Stripes above middle of body slightly narrower than interspaces. Distal half of first dorsal fin black and proximal half pale. Second dorsal, anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins with reddish tinge. Leading edge of second dorsal and anal fins dusky to dark brown, usually darker distally. Upper- and lowermost caudal fin rays dark brown. No dark caudal spot in adults (present in juveniles). Eyes lacks double lines and iris are yellow.

Etymology
Cheilodipterus: from Greek, cheilos = lip + from Greek, di = two + from Greek, pteron = wing, fin. Referring to extensible upper lip and to two dorsal fins.
alleni: in honor of ichthyologist Gerald R. Allen (b. 1942), Western Australia Museum (Perth), who collected type specimens and recognized their uniqueness.
Original description: Cheilodipterus alleni Gon, 1993 - Type locality: outer reef caves, Tab Island, Madang, Papua New Guinea, depth: 12 - 17 meters.