| Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae |
| 1.59 cm SL (male/unsexed); 1.69 cm SL (female) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 16 m |
| Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-7; Vertebrae: 27-27. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI + I,8; A I,7; pectoral-fin rays 15-17, with most rays unbranched; scale series - longitudinal 23-25; transverse counted forward 7; median predorsal scales 6-8 (usually 7 or 8), the scales reaching to just behind eye; eyes are slightly elevated resulting in a shallow pit in interorbital area and a shallow groove along dorsoposterior margin of eye; the pectoral-fin base is covered with 2 large cycloid scales (and 1 or 2 smaller scales); prepelvic area covered with about 3-6 rows of cycloid scales; reduced transverse pattern of sensory papilla rows on cheek; nape with 1-2 modified elongate papillae behind each eye; connected pelvic fins form a plate, no interspinal membrane, the fifth ray with 2 dichotomous branches; head and body with broad, irregular, brown bars, the last bar posteriorly on caudal peduncle extending basally onto rays of caudal fin; head with 3 dark brown bars below eye; the basal quarter of second and third membranes of first dorsal fin with diffuse dark blotch; 2 subcutaneous dark brown spots along the anal-fin base, 2 similar spots ventrally on caudal peduncle behind rear base of anal fin (Ref. 104898). |
| Usually found in small groups in small caves in the reef wall of fringing reefs in seaward reefs and bays (Ref. 104898). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 September 2021 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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