Istigobius goldmanni (Bleeker, 1852)
Goldman's goby
Istigobius goldmanni
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  6 cm SL (male/unsexed); 4.7 cm TL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines to Fiji, north to Taiwan, south to northwestern Australia and southern Queensland. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 26-26. Upper pectoral fin rays entire. Nape with as many as 30 dark spots. A prominent diagonal, black line from posterior part of upper jaw to operculum. 4 broad, dark bands on abdomen; 2nd dorsal fin with 3-4 rows of black spots; pectoral fin clear, base with 2 small dusky spots. Predorsal cycloid scales 7-9, trunk ctenoid. In male, anal fin when appressed reaching almost the caudal fin; appressed 2nd dorsal fin overlapping caudal. Anal and 2nd dorsal fins of female when appressed reaching to within a distance of 2-3 scales of caudal fin (Ref. 420); longitudinal scale series 30-32; depth of body 4.9-5.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in sandy areas with both living coral and coral rubble, and from both moderately clear and turbid water (Ref. 48637).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 August 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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