Bathygobius mystacium Ginsburg, 1947
Island frillfin
Bathygobius mystacium
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and the Bahamas to the Antilles and EspĂ­rito Santo, Brazil (Ref. 40101).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 17-20 pectoral fin rays; 33-36 lateral scale rows; upper jaw length typically 9.2-11.0% SL (one specimen with 11.7%); predorsal squamation reaching anteriorly well beyond vertical through posterior margin of preopercle; first dorsal fin pigmentation variable, typically 1-3 longitudinal stripes with pale distal border of varying width, but sometimes uniformly dusky in larger specimens; trunk with 3 dorsal saddles sometimes reaching lateral midline and row of 6 large square to irregularly shaped blotches beneath lateral midline ranging in size from slightly larger than pupil to as large as or larger than orbit (Ref. 85559).
Biology:  Inhabits rocky tide pools and along water's edge, but mostly on unsheltered shores.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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