Stiphodon astilbos Ryan, 1986

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Sicydiinae
Max. size:  3.85 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater, amphidromous
Distribution:  Oceania: endemic to a few rivers of the Vanuatu.
Diagnosis:  The body is elongated, the snout is rounded and the mouth is slightly inferior. The first dorsal fin has 6 spiny rays and the second dorsal fin one spiny ray and 10 soft rays. The anal fin has one spiny ray and 10 soft rays. The pectoral fins generally have 14 rays and the caudal fin has 13. There are 12 to 16 scales in transverse forward series and 9 scales in transverse back series. The central predorsal scales are minute and there are 6 to 11 for males and 4 to 6 for females. There are 24 to 29 scales in longitudinal series. The male has a silvery belly and blue to yellow band along the flanks extending from the pectoral fin to the caudal fin. There is a greyish spot at the base of the caudal fin. The female is brown-yellow with three dark longitudinal bands (Ref. 87781).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 24 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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