Grallenia lipi Shibukawa & Iwata, 2007
Filamented pygmy sand-goby
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  1.55 cm SL (male/unsexed); 1.88 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 8 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: second dorsal-fin rays I, 9-10; anal-fin rays I, 9; vertebrae 10+17-18= 27-28, usually 10+18=28); first spine of first dorsal-fin greatly elongated or filamentous in males; second dorsal fin usually reaching to, or beyond, caudal-fin base when adpressed in adult, length of longest ray 17.5-21.8% of SL; length of longest ray of anal fin 12.6-18.1% of SL); scales on body restricted on posterior half of body, except for isolated patch of scales just behind pectoral-fin base; no pelvic frenum; length of pectoral fin 23.2-30.6% of SL); caudal-peduncle length 20.3-23.6% of SL; cephalic sensory canals and associated pores absent; an orange line present at the middle of dorsal fin in life (Ref. 75132).
Biology:  Collected around an isolated, relatively large coral patch on flat, clean and fine sandy bottom at a depth of 15 m; the area is typical for other sandy-bottom dwellers (e.g., Fusigobius inframaculatus, Limnichthys nitidus). Similar to its congener G. arenicola, as observed, this species did not display symbiotic association with any other organisms. Found to be widespread in Indonesia, and often found on light coloured sand or rubble to about 15 m depth (Ref. 75132).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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