Bathygobius coalitus (Bennett, 1832)
Whitespotted frillgoby
Bathygobius coalitus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Reported from the Penghu Islands (Ref. 55073).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Characterized by mottled brown body color; side of body with a pair of oblique brown bands, below first dorsal fin and below posterior of second dorsal fin; lower half side of body with 6-7 rectangular brown blotches; numerous small brown spots on snout, interorbital and cheek; upper 4-5 pectoral rays branched to base, tips membrane-free; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 36-38; predorsal scales 15-20, reaching midway between rear edge of preopercle and posterior edge of eye; cheek and operculum without scales; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid on abdomen, breast and nape; depressed head, width greater than depth; depth of body 4.3-4.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits clear coastal reef flats, intertidal to about 5 meters depth (Ref. 48637). Benthic in tidepools and tidal flats; also from seaward reefs (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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