Overview
Thalasseleotris iota Hoese & Roberts, 2005.
The pygmy sleeper, named iota due to its small size, matures at about 30 mm and grows to a maximum length of under 40 mm. It lives in rocky reefs at 2-34 m depth all around mainland New Zealand. Underwater it can be observed by scuba divers, but is very well camouflaged with mottled brown, red and white spots, which may change in intensity to match its background. Although generally solitary and possibly territorial, several individuals may sometimes be observed inhabiting a small cave or reef fracture.