Eviota cometa Jewett & Lachner, 1983
Comet dwarfgoby
Eviota cometa
photo by Erdmann, M.V.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  1.64 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m
Distribution:  Southwestern Pacific: Fiji and Tonga.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only IT pore (pattern 2), AITO pore small and opening dorsally; a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 9/8; unbranched pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17 (usually 17); fifth pelvic-fin ray 5-17% of fourth ray; body depth 18-23% SL. Colouration: pectoral-fin base without dark occipital spots or dark spots; entire iris of eye is dark reddish, pupil surrounded by a white ring, dorsal side of eye next to interorbital area has a short white bar not visible laterally; a two-part, black, basicaudal spot over preural centrum made up of a short, wedge-like, triangular front section connecting to a short, wide bar over end of hypural plate, and with a yellow spot over nexus; caudal fin is crossed by thin, red, diagonal bars, pale when preserved (Ref. 127576).
Biology:  Collected from consolidated coral growth rising 2 m off sand and silt bottom, in 9-15 m depth; also from turbid waters on fine-sand and coral-rubble bottom (Ref. 127576).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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