Oxyurichthys zeta Pezold & Larson, 2015
Oxyurichthys zeta
photo by Greenfield, J.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  4.9 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 12 - 38 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: from Japan, Palau, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 13-13. This species is distinguished by the following characters: dorsoposterior of eye without tentacle, cornification or spot; no constriction at premaxillary symphysis of upper lip; first dorsal-fin spines are short, posteriormost spines reaching just beyond second element of second dorsal fin when appressed; anterior nares in small tube and not darkly pigmented; nape has a low membranous crest; absence of gular spots; not spots on scales on dorsum; when alive, with a large blackish blotch on posterior part of first dorsal fin and 4 large diffuse spots along the mid-side of body and one spot on caudal-fin base, also indistinct; no saddle on caudal peduncle; cycloid (reduced ctenoid) scales; naked prepelvic region; lateral scales 100-112; pectoral-fin rays 22; pelvic fins are dusky, not barred or mottled (Ref. 103856).
Biology:  Specimens are photographed hovering over a dark soft substrate. One individual at Lovina Beach, Bali, appears to be at the entrance of a large burrow (made by another organism).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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