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

Description 
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9. The species have no distinct dark line on the dorsum from the first dorsal-fin origin onto the caudal peduncle; no dark lines above insertion of anal-fin rays; opercular flap lacking a prominent or diffuse dark spot; caudal spot small, surrounded with many diffuse melanophores on caudal peduncle; a peppering of melanophores on the breast and pelvic fins, and all of the second dorsal fin; distinct blue teardrop-like marks on cheek; blue spots on side above pectoral fin; two narrow yellow lines on midside (not to much visible); an iridescent blue line along anal-fin base; total developed gill rakers 27-30, usually 28 or 29; second dorsal-fin spine 21.8-35.2 % SL; body depth 39.7-47.2% SL. Max length : 4.4 cm SL. Depth range 8 - 12 m.
Mouth very oblique, forming an angle of about 50º to horizontal axis of head, the lower jaw strongly projecting; maxilla extending to below center of eye, the upper-jaw length 2.1 (1.9–2.4) in head length; posterior end of maxilla with a distinct angular notch; dentition as in the genus. Tongue narrowly triangular with rounded tip, the upper surface with small papillae. Gill rakers well developed, the longest on lower limb nearly half orbit diameter in length. Anterior nostril a small, short, membranous tube on side of snout, slightly more than half distance from fleshy edge of orbit to median anterior point of upper lip; posterior nostril a narrow elliptical opening at level of upper edge of pupil, its length about one-fourth pupil diameter. Suborbital margin smooth, ending below center of eye; preopercular ridge smooth; posterior three-fourths of ventral edge of preopercle and ventral one-quarter of posterior edge finely serrate.

Color of fresh specimen
Top of head and back greenish gray, overlaid with scattered, small melanophores. Two parallel, narrow, yellow lines running along midside from opercle to caudal peduncle. Area below yellow lines lighter than dorsum, silvery under pectoral fins and on belly, a bluish tinge on area above anal fin. Scattered bluish spots above pectoral fin, overlaying yellow lines. Caudal peduncle with heavy concentration of melanophores, forming a dark band at caudalfin base. A small black spot at center of band. Area below eye, preopercle and opercle silvery, extending back to join silvery belly. Four relatively large teardrop-shaped blue marks under and behind eye, with several more spots extending up along opercular margin. Snout dark green, tip of lower jaw with reddish tinge. Pupil of eye black, iris silvery with a greenish band running horizontally across it at pupil. First two dorsal-fin spines with a reddish tinge, remainder of dorsal fin greenish yellow. Pelvic fins reddish. Caudal fin clear except for greenish dorsal and ventral margins at base. Anal fin clear with a black band along its base and an iridescent blue line next to it on the body. Pectoral fins clear. Often coloration that is blue in life may turn a pink color after the fish is dead.

Etymology
Zoramia: etymology not explained, perhaps from Greek, zoros = sheer, pure + from Greek, amia, -as = a kind of bonito. Name given by Aristotle to a fish (Later name applied to Apogon by Gronow (1763), now a commonly used suffix in the family). Referring to their partial transparency.
flebila: from Latin, flebilis = tearful. Referring to the tear-drop shaped marks on the cheek.
Original description: Zoramia flebila Greenfield, Langston & Randall 2005 - Type locality: bay of Islands, 17°10.692'S, 179°00.887'W, Vanua Balavul Island, Northern Lau Group, Fiji, depth 8.3 meters.