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Eviota cometa Jewett & Lachner, 1983 Comet dwarfgoby |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae | |||
| Max. size: | 2.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 22 m | |||
| Distribution: | Pacific Ocean: Philippines, Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Micronesia (Palau, Pohnpei, Marshall Islands), Kiribati (Phoenix and Line Islands, Caroline Island), southwards to Indonesia (Bali), Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Australia (Great Barrier Reef). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 6-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: cephalic sensory-canal pore system lacking only the IT pore (pattern 2); unbranched pectoral-fin rays; dorsal/anal-fin formula is 8-9/7-8; the fifth pelvic-fin is ray 10% of 4th pelvic ray); caudal fin base with a vertical spot, proceeded by a more rounded spot; the lower caudal-fin rays with an elongate dark streak; no wavy vertical lines crossing caudal fin. when alive, there is a narrow red line running down the lateral midline of the body (Ref. 107299). Description: the spinous dorsal may be filamentous in males, rarely in females (Ref. 37816); mainly translucent with broad red to brown, internal midlateral stripe from head to base of caudal fin; 3-5 white to yellowish spots posteroventrally above anal-fin base; base of caudal fin with diagnostic black hour-glass shaped mark (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits deep coastal slopes, subject to strong currents, on rubble reef to 30 meters depth (Ref. 48637). Collected from depths less than 1 to at least 30 m. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 March 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||