Salmacis sphaeroides (Linnaeus 1758)

FIGURE 12B–C

Comments

The species was identified by the densely banded spines in red, brown, purple, whitish, or greenish, generally with a green base (Fig. 12B). It is very common in coral habitat in Hong Kong.

Four individuals of this species were present on the surface of a dead fish, apparently scavenging (Fig. 12C). This is consistent with observations made by Tsuchiya et al. (2009) who reported that Salmacis sphaeroides in the Gulf of Thailand have a generalist diet, including various vascular plant species, notably water hyacinths from nearby rivers, as well as sea pens, jellyfish as well as active predation on two species of irregular urchins, Brissus latecarinatus and Lovenia eleongata, which were locally abundant. Both of these latter species are also present in Hong Kong waters suggesting possible prey.

Occurrence/Distribution

Hong Kong, 0– 10 m.

Outside Hong Kong, Southern China, Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, northern Australia. 0– 90 m.