Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 15-16; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 7. 

A small, slender-bodied basslet. Dorsal fin in two distinct parts. Caudal fin lunate, often with short filaments on lobes.

Colour. A pale yellowish upper head and back that fades to lavender pink below. Bright yellow caudal-fin lobes, and a dark pink margin 
on the dorsal fin and lower edge of caudal fin.

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 7.0 cm TL. 
 

Usually occurs in groups on outer reef slopes (depth 1-55m, usually 1-35m). Feeds on zooplankton. 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations.

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. 
Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
Recorded from Bird Island by Randall, J.E. in 1992 (Randall 1997).  

Bray, D.J. Luzonichthys waitei in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4382 (01/11/23). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2023). FishBase. Luzonichthys waitei. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/7453 (31/10/23).
Randall, J.E. (1997). Randall's tank photos. Collection of 10,000 large-format photos (slides) of dead fishes. Unpublished.  
Williams, J.T. et al. (2016). Luzonichthys waitei. The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69586094A69592377.en. (31/10/23).

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2023). Luzonichthys waitei, Waite's splitfin. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/luzonichthys-waitei-fowler-1931/