A single 35mm specimen was found in a pile of rubble at a depth of about 10m on the Kwajalein Atoll seaward reef. This specimen is only tentatively identified as Antennatus nummifer since the species is difficult to distinguish from Antennatus coccineus. Both species are quite variable in color , but ne differentiating characteristic is that in A. coccineus, the dorsal and anal fins extend all the way to the beginning of the tail, leaving no bare section along the caudal peduncle, while in A. nummifer, the fins attach a bit farther up the body, leaving a distinct caudal peduncle before the tail begins. Unfortunately, unless you have a good photo of the stretched-out posterior portion of the body and tail, it is still difficult to see this character. It is not clear in any of the photos of our specimen.
Created 5 June 2010
Updated 26 December 2019