| Family: |
Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae |
| Max. size: |
3.4 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.4 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 15 - 34 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 13-15. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VI + I,12-14; A I,13-15; pectoral fin rays 18-19; pelvic fin rays I, 5, with pelvic fins joined basally by a membrane, pelvic frenum present, fifth pelvic soft fin ray slightly shorter than fourth, branched once mid-ray, branches not separated (occur close together and run parallel to each other throughout the ray); longitudinal scale series 77-85; median predorsal scales 15-17, scales embedded anteriorly, squamation extending to above upper end of preopercular margin; gill opening reaching forward to below middle of opercle; alcohol preserved color beige, with five narrow dark brown bars, broadly bordered in lighter brown, the first from nape across operculum, the last on caudal peduncle; bars progressively less oblique, the last near-vertical; pale interspaces with irregular dark brown line, sometimes branching, often ending dorsally in dark spot; branchiostegal membranes dark brown; caudal fin with dark brown arc at base, limbs of arc narrowing posteriorly to midfin; remaining fins unmarked (Ref. 82599). |
| Biology: |
Collected in 1974 and 1975 at a depth of 15 m on a sand substratum with patches of the invasive seagrass Halophila stipylacea and occasional small coral heads; in 1986, at 33.5 m, where the substrate consisted of coarse sand and gravel. This species was observed to live in symbiotic association with an alpheid shrimp, but the shrimp was neither collected nor photographed (Ref. 82599). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 29 June 2018 (B1ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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