Family: |
Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae |
Max. size: |
13 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 25 m |
Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref.80050) and Red Sea to Samoa, north to Taiwan, south to Lord Howe Island. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 26-26. Color highly variable, brownish on upper half, grading to white below; dark brown scale margins forming honeycomb pattern and midlateral row of double dark brown spots forming rectangular markings (Ref. 90102); segmented and non branching caudal rays 3 (rarely 2), branching 14 (rarely 15). Predorsal cycloid scales 7-10, trunk ctenoid. Few with no black spots on nape. Isthmus narrow, scaled forward to vertical at posterior part of preoperculum. 2 diagonal, dusky lines on operculum; an inverted U-shaped spot prominent at the distal end of upper jaw. Pectoral fin with small dusky spots; 2 longitudinal lines on pectoral base spreading onto it fin rays. Sexual dimorphism exhibited in anal, pelvic and 2nd dorsal fin (Ref. 420). |
Biology: |
A common species that inhabits areas of coralline sand of clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710, 48637). Found singly. Minimum depth from Ref. 58018. |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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