Depth 5 to 6 1/3; head 3 to 34 ? width l\ to 2. Snout 4^ to 5 in 
head from snout tip; eye 4^ to 5 ? subequal with snout, little greater than 
interorbital; maxillary reaches^ in eye, length 2 7/8 to 3 1/8 in head 
from snout tip; teeth minute, simple, in narrow band in each jaw; inter¬ 
orbital to 6 , level. Gill opening extends forward until about first 
third in postocular space. 
Scales 68 f 2 in lateral axial series, obsolete anteriorly and 
cycloid, posteriorly ctenoid and well distinct; 12 transversely above 
anal origin. Head, breast, chest, belly and prepectoral region largely 
naked. Scales show 15 slightly radiating basal striae; row of 30 small, 
close set, sharp pointed apical denticles; circuli moderate. 
D. VI - I, 9, 1 to I, 11, 1, third spine 2 1/3 to 3 in total head 
length, first ray 2 to 2 1/5; A. I, 10, 1 or I, 9, 1, first ray 2 2/3 
to 3 ? caudal 1 to 1 - 4 , convex behind; least depth of caudal peduncle 2 7/8 
to 35 pectoral 1 to 1 3/5? rays 14 or 15; ventral I, 5? fin 1 1/8 to l*j>- in 
total head length. 
Pale brown, with dark though contrasted and ill defined longitudinal 
band from side of snout over postocular through pectoral base and along 
lower side of trunk and tail to include lower median rays of caudal. Iris 
gray. Fins all whitish, except as described for caudal. In small examples 
dark brown more extensive, including lower side of head, breast, and belly 
as w ell. 
Red Sea, Natal, Riu Kiu, Polynesia, Micronesia. I have included 
the above nominal species with this one. Hetereleotris clara and 
Hetereleotris phaenna are surely synonymous, though the type of the latter 
is now so discolored as to be uniformly dark brown. 
