Gobionellus stomatus Starks, 1913
Muckraker
Gobionellus stomatus
photo by Macieira, R.M.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  13.9 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 10.7 g
Environment:  demersal; brackish
Distribution:  Southwest Atlantic: endemic to Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 14-14. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: terminal mouth is oblique; distinct pigmentation of 5 large blotches on sides of trunk, last four of which are vertically elongate, dark blotch on upper half of pectoral-fin base, and broad suborbital patch crossing cheek from eye to middle of upper jaw; D2 13; A 14; dorsal fins not broadly connected; body with small cycloid scales; lateral series 54-66; nape with scales along naked midline; in males, maxilla extending beyond posterior margin of orbit, in females to posterior margin; first gill arch with seven thin rakers on ceratobranchial, one at angle, and six on epibranchial; horizontal midcheek row ‘b’ not extending forward beyond 3rd or 4th transverse suborbital row (Ref. 55435).
Biology:  This species is an inhabitant of estuaries and has been taken over fine sediments near mangroves. Starks (1913) commented that it was not found in rocky tidal pools (Ref. 55435).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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