Mahidolia mystacina (Valenciennes, 1837)
Flagfin prawn goby
Mahidolia mystacina
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 5 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique (Ref. 2798) and east to the Society Islands, north to southern Japan (?), south to northern Australia and Samoa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Characterized by generally pale grey to yellowish body color; about six slightly diagonal bands on body; head with orange spots; usually with one or more black spots on first dorsal fin; variable coloration of fins; first dorsal fin, fan like; united pelvic fins, frenum present; longitudinal scale series 33-37; head without scales; greatest depth of body 3.9-4.4 in SL; rounded caudal fin, about equal to head length (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in silty coastal bays (Ref. 9710). Enters estuaries (Ref. 4343) and freshwater tidal zone habitats (Ref. 12693). Found on muddy bottom at the base of the reef at Toguan Bay, Guam. Uses the burrow of a mottled brown alpheid prawn with two or more short white saddles or spots. Lives coastal sand and mud habitats from shallow estuaries to moderate depths on slopes (Ref. 48637).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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