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Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Gobiidae (Gobies) > Gobiinae
Etymology: Amblygobius: Greek, amblys = darkness + Latin gobius = gudgeon (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Bennett.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 20 m (Ref. 90102). Tropical
Indian Ocean.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 11.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 90102)
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15. Characterized by greenish brown body color with complex pattern consisting of longitudinal rows of small white spots; side of body with five narrow brown bars; presence of dark brown band from snout, through eye, to upper back; cheek with white spots and lines; dark-edged red spots dorsally on head; large brown spot above gill opening; basal part of upper caudal fin with large red-brown to blackish spot; 1-2 small black spot on outer part of caudal fin; prolonged third and fourth dorsal spines as short filaments, first dorsal fin taller than second; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 60-67; ctenoid scales; cycloid scales on nape, abdomen, and breast; predorsal scales 22-25, extending to interorbital space; scales dorsally on opercle, absent on cheek; depth of body 3.5-4.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
Inhabits protected, silty lagoons and estuaries (Ref. 48637). Occurs in pairs, over its burrow beneath rock or rubble; usually hovers a short distance above the bottom. Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Gut contents of a 6.5 cm SL specimen contains mainly fine, unbranched, filamentous algae and harpacticoid copepods, also polychaetes, tanaids, decapod shrimps, amphipods, and nematodes (may have been parasitic).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Monogamous mating is observed as both obigate and social (Ref. 52884).
Randall, J.E. and M. Goren, 1993. A review of the gobioid fishes of the Maldives. Ichthyol. Bull. J.L.B. Smith Inst. Ichthyol. (58):1-37, 5 pls. (Ref. 9360)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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