Istigobius spence (Smith, 1947)
Pearl goby
Istigobius spence
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  7.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 12 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Mozambique, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Micronesia; undoubtedly more widespread.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 26-26. Pectoral fin rays entire. Predorsal cycloid scale 7-10, ctenoid on trunk. Few spots on nape; a dusky line running from eye dorsal to sensory pore path, ending at or before pectoral fin base; wavy brown lines on the snout. Pelvic and distal part of anal fins darker in males than in females. Appressed anal fin reaching within a distance of 1-2 scales of caudal fin in male, 2-4 scales in female; appressed 2nd dorsal slightly overlapping caudal in male. Some males exhibit 3-4 vertical bars on abdomen and 2-3 horizontal bars in 1st dorsal fin (Ref. 420); longitudinal scale series 30-32; no scales on cheek and opercle; body depth 4.9-6.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in turbid coastal areas near river mouths at less than 1 m to at least 12 m, Ref. 48637.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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