Ginsburgellus novemlineatus (Fowler, 1950)
Nineline goby
Ginsburgellus novemlineatus
photo by Vasques, J.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Antilles south to Venezuela and Colombia (Ref. 092840).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Distinguished by having the following characteristics: dark brown body with nine, bright blue, thin, vertical lines; presence of rostral frenum (Ref. 92840).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow areas with clear water and coral formations (Ref. 13628), often in close association with the sea urchin Echinometra lucunter. Possesses a ventral sucking disk which allows it to adhere to the rock beneath the test of an urchin with only the head showing among the spines of urchins. When disturbed they retreat farther beneath the urchin, and if the urchin is removed it rapidly darts beneath the test of a neighboring one. Feeds mainly on the tube feet of sea urchins (Ref. 33548)..
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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