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Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Xenisthmidae (Collared wrigglers)
Etymology: Xenisthmus: Greek, xenos = strange + Greek, isthmos = throat, narrow passage (Ref. 45335); chi: Name from the Greek letter (chi), and refers to the X-shaped markings on the body; noun in apposition.
More on authors: Gill & Hoese.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal. Tropical
Eastern Indian Ocean: Rowlwy Shoals, Timor Sea.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 2.1 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 59014); 2.2 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 11; Vertebrae: 26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: second dorsal-fin rays I, 12; A rays I,11; predorsal area broadly scaled to just behind vertical through posterior edge of preopercle, a narrow median wedge of scales extending further forward almost to pore D; posterior naris no flap on anterior rim; head and body pale with brown reticulate mottling, forming about 11 X-shaped markings along the sides, between pectoral and caudal-fin bases (Ref. 59014).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
A benthic, inshore species found in coral reefs (Ref. 75154).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Gill, A.C. and D.F. Hoese, 2004. Three new Australian species of the fish genus Xenisthmus (Gobioidei: Xenisthmidae). Rec. Aust. Mus.56(2):241-246. (Ref. 59014)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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