Stiphodon atropurpureus (Herre, 1927)
Stiphodon atropurpureus
photo by Nip, T.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Sicydiinae
Max. size:  5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine, amphidromous
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: tropical and subtropical; Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines and the mainland of South China. Considered to be of conservation concern in subtropical Asia (Ref. 82688).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 10-10. Sexual dimorphism obvious; mature male with body, snout and cheek iridescent green/ blue/ purple (depending on viewing angle and the age and status of the fish); first dorsal fin not elongated/ filamentous, dorsal fins with narrow red margin while female body has white/ pale buff with two obvious transverse stripes (Ref. 28731, 43239).
Biology:  Adults inhabit clear streams and mainly feed on epiphyte and biofilm on rocks in the wild. Due to its possible amphidromous nature, as known to occur with its congeners (adults live and breed in freshwater streams; larvae hatched drift downstream and develop in marine environments; juveniles return to freshwater streams), blockage of the migration pathway (e.g. construction of dam or culvert in streams) would cause a significant impact on this species. Ensuring no net loss of habitat, keeping the natural stream flow and maintaining the stream-ocean corridor are all essential for preserving this species (in reference to its congeners; see Ref. 82682, 82684, 82689, 82690). Collection conducted by aquarium hobbyists (both private and commercial) also poses a serious threat to Stiphodon species in some regions (Ref. 82684) and this kind of activity should be strictly controlled (Ref. 82694).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 January 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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