Gobiopsis arenaria (Snyder, 1908)
Patchwork barbelgoby
Gobiopsis arenaria
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  1.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 5 - 15 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Japan south to Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Characterized by pale grey overall body color; mottled brown head, broad saddle over nape region; presence of three brown saddles along base of dorsal fins, joined at midbody to form continuous midlateral stripe; 5-6 narrow brown bars on lower side; fully united pelvic fins, frenum present; relatively short pelvic fins, about 54%distance from origin of pelvic fin to origin of anal fin; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 33-36; presence of barbels on snout, tip of chin, and ventrally below lower jaw; cycloid scales; cheek and opercle without scales; deeply embedded nape scales; presence of sensory pores on head, no preopercular pores; depth of body 5.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Cryptic inhabitant of sand-rubble bottom next to reefs in 5-15 (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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