Common in shallow protected water, sheltering among the spines of Diadema sea-urchins in groups of up to about 30 individuals (number depends on the size of the urchin and the length of the fish).

Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf.

Eritrea, Red Sea

Red Sea, northwestern Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden east to Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf).

Maximum size: 65 mm SL

8.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 11441))

Color in life silvery gray with 4 black stripes. 5th stripe runs along anal-fin base, continues anteriorly to pelvic-fin base, at which point it curves upward to reach in front of pectoral-fin base. The part of this stripe anterior to anal-fin base is often indistinct. A black oval spot at middle of caudal peduncle encircled by a yellow area. A distinct black spot on dorsal surface of caudal peduncle. Area between yellow pigment and this spot appears as distinct white mark. Fins pale (Ref 8525).

Type for Cheilodipterus bipunctatus
Catalog Number: USNM 147944
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Preparation: Radiograph
Collector(s): D. Erdman
Year Collected: 1948
Locality: Saudi Arabia: Persian Gulf, Tarut Bay, Ras Tanura, Um Rahine, 1.25 miles north of fish pier., Saudi Arabia, Tarut Bay, Persian Gulf, Indian

Paratype for Cheilodipterus bipunctatus
Catalog Number: USNM 112039
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Collector(s): D. Erdman
Year Collected: 1948
Locality: Saudi Arabia: Persian Gulf, Tarut Bay, Ras Tanura, Um Rahine, 1.25 miles north of fish pier., Saudi Arabia, Tarut Bay, Persian Gulf, Indian

demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m (Ref. 11441)

Depth range based on 10 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 3 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 1.5 - 12
  Temperature range (°C): 27.353 - 28.720
  Nitrate (umol/L): 0.048 - 0.862
  Salinity (PPS): 34.960 - 37.566
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.314 - 4.664
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.167 - 0.277
  Silicate (umol/l): 3.015 - 3.344

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 1.5 - 12

Temperature range (°C): 27.353 - 28.720

Nitrate (umol/L): 0.048 - 0.862

Salinity (PPS): 34.960 - 37.566

Oxygen (ml/l): 4.314 - 4.664

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.167 - 0.277

Silicate (umol/l): 3.015 - 3.344
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Depth: 1 - 10m.
From 1 to 10 meters.

Habitat: demersal.

Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Not Evaluated