Istigobius hoshinonis (Tanaka, 1917)
photo by Kamy Yeung@114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  8.9 cm TL (male/unsexed); 7.7 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 3 - 14 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: southern Japan, southern Korea, and Hong Kong. Reported from the Penghu Islands (Ref. 55073).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 10-10; Vertebrae: 26-26. Upper pectoral fin rays entire. Cycloid predorsal scales 13-17, ctenoid on trunk. No scales on antero-dorsal part of operculum. A large diagonal blue stripe beneath the eye from corner of mouth to dorsal most part of preoperculum. Only males with a black spot distally on membranes between IV and VI spines of 1st dorsal fin.
Biology:  Common on sand or mud bottoms in shallow water. May be solitary or in small schools near crevices or under stones. Lays its eggs under shells where males care for the young; spawning took place from May to July.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 August 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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