Gymnocranius microdon


Bluespotted large-eye bream
Characteristic features:
Colour:

Silvery with brown-edged scales, vertically elongate blue spots on snout and cheek, fins clear to reddish, caudal fin sometimes dusky.

Size:

Up to 45 cm TL.

Distribution:

West Central Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Over sand and rubble bottoms near coral and rock reefs, from 15 to 50 m depth.

Biology:

Feeds on small bottom dwelling invertebrates.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught with handlines and bottom longlines.

Similar species:

Gymnocranius elongatus
Forktail large-eye bream

Gymnocranius elongatus

Gymnocranius elongatus differs in having a deeply forked caudal fin, the median rays shorter than eye diameter (vs. moderately forked caudal fin, the median rays longer than eye diameter) and lower edge of eye level with snout tip to middle of caudal-fin fork (vs. lower edge of eye above line from snout tip to middle of caudal-fin fork).

Gymnocranius frenatus
Yellowsnout large-eye bream

Gymnocranius frenatus

Gymnocranius frenatus differs in having oblique, wavy blue lines on snout and cheek (vs. vertically elongate blue spots often on snout and cheek) and inner edge of caudal-fin lobes convex (vs. straight).

Gymnocranius grandoculis
Blue-lined large-eye bream

Gymnocranius grandoculis

Gymnocranius grandoculis differs in having horizontal, wavy blue lines on snout and cheek for specimens >20 cm TL, or a dark bar under eyes and 5 or 6 irregular dark bars on sides for specimens <20 cm SL (vs. vertically elongate blue spots on snout and cheek, body silvery) and body depth 2.4–2.5 times in standard length (vs. 2.5–3).

Gymnocranius euanus
Japanese large-eye bream

Gymnocranius euanus

Gymnocranius euanus differs in having 4½ scale rows between lateral line and base of middle dorsal-fin spines (vs. 5½).

Gymnocranius griseus
Grey large-eye bream

Gymnocranius griseus

 Gymnocranius griseus differs in having no markings on snout and cheek (vs. vertically elongate blue spots on snout and cheek).

Gymnocranius satoi
Blacknape large-eye bream

Gymnocranius satoi

Gymnocranius satoi differs in having blue speckles on snout and cheek (vs. vertically elongate blue spots on snout and cheek) and caudal-fin tips rounded (vs. pointed). 

Gymnocranius obesus
Obese large-eye bream

Gymnocranius obesus differs in having no markings on snout and cheek (vs. vertically elongate blue spots on snout and cheek).

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