Priolepis nuchifasciata (Günther, 1873)
Orange reef-goby
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 5 - 30 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: confined in the area, Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines to Hong Kong, westward to the Gulf of Thailand; probably in Vietnam; questionable in Oman (unreported specimens).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 6-8. Distinguished from its congeners in having a pelvic fraenum and branched dorsal-fin rays (Ref. 9018); characterized by reddish to mauve with dark scale margins forming network on side of body; head and upper back below dorsal fin with series of dark-edged pale grey to whitish bars; pair of bars found anterior to pectoral fin forming inverted "Y"; sometimes with yellow head; longitudinal scale series 23-26; ctenoid body scales to level of base of pectoral fin; predorsal, cheek, opercle, prepelvic area and base of pectoral fin without scales; absence of vertical rows of papillae on cheek; depth of body 3.0-3.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in rocky estuary reefs, in small caves, usually in pairs (Ref. 9002). Cryptic (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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