Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Gobiidae (Gobies) > Sicydiinae
Etymology: Stiphodon: Greek, stiphos, -eos, -oys = mass + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335); sapphirinus: From the Latin adjective sapphirinus, meaning sapphire, in allusion to the birght blue coloration and jewel like appearance of males, especially when viewed in sunlight.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; amphidromous; depth range ? - 5 m (Ref. 86942). Tropical
Oceania: throughout New Caledonia in both the North Province and South Province. Vanuatu (Ref. 87781).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 3.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 56893); 2.9 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 10. First dorsal fin in males with fourth spine long, filamentous and without membrane beyond the fin; males usually have no scales (0-6) in predorsal midline, whereas females usually have predorsal scales (0-12); males have more and larger symphyseal teeth, 2 (0-4) vs. 2 (0-2) in females. Scales in transverse forward series 7-15. Males with somewhat variable coloration: the head and body cobalt blue that is especially prominent above the midline; dorsal fins generally clear with cobalt blue present on spine and often membrane close to base and anal fin whitish or bluish basally (Ref. 56893).
Inhabits clear swift streams and has been found in streams from near sea level to well above small waterfalls at higher elevations (Ref. 56893). Usually prefers to inhabit one of boulders and slab bottom streams usually with little or no sand and gravel (Ref. 56893). Generally found in riffles but on occasion has been collected in swift waters above waterfalls (Ref. 56893).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Watson, R.E., P. Keith and G. Marquet, 2005. Stiphodon sapphirinus, a new species of freshwater goby from New Caledonia (Gobioidei: Sicydiinae). Cybium 29(4):339-345. (Ref. 56893)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01122 (0.00514 - 0.02450), b=3.04 (2.87 - 3.21), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).