Eviota melasma Lachner & Karnella, 1980
Headspot dwarfgoby
photo by González-Cabello, A.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 44 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Australia. Records from other areas may represent different species, from Cocos-Keeling Islands throughout the East Indies; in the south from Bali eastwards to Samoa and New Caledonia and southward to Australia (Scott Reef and the southern Great Barrier Reef); in the north extending to the Yaeyama Islands of Japan and eastward to Micronesia (Palau, FSM - Truk and Enewetak, and the Marshall Islands). Records from Fiji refers to Eviota karaspila.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Characterized by semi-transparent body with red-brown internal bars; irregular reddish blotches on nape; presence of intense black spot above gill opening; three red blotches separated by white or yellow bars on side of belly; base of pectoral fin with narrow white band; longitudinal scale series 23-25; ctenoid scales, absent on head and breast; separated pelvic fins, thin membrane joining bases; depth of body 6.5-7.7 in SL (Ref. 90102). Dorsal to anal fin-ray formula 9/8 (Ref. 116739).
Biology:  Found on rocks of corals reefs in the infralittoral zone (Ref. 559, 48637). Solitary or in groups, resting at bottom (Ref 90102). Spawning appears to be repeated on a regular cycle, semilunar or every 14 days (Ref. 116739).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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