Trimma preclarum Winterbottom, 2006
Exquisite pygmygoby
Trimma preclarum
photo by Erdmann, M.V.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.03 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 60 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Is., and photographed underwater in Saipan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Diagnosis: This species is characterized by the presence of predorsal scales; second and third dorsal-fin spines elongate; moderate interorbital and postorbital trenches; no opercular scales; and, scales across the top half of the body outlined with pigment. The fifth pelvic fin ray is branched sequentially once or unbranched depending on the capture location and living specimens has three yellow stripes extending along the body, two stripes in the dorsal and anal fins (one dark and one yellow) and a red or cerise iris with four large, irregularly-spaced yellow spot (Ref. 57544); characterized further by having longitudinal scale series 22-24; predorsal scales 6-9; depth of body about 4.2-4.4 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Collected from a drop-off wall with a few small caves, coralline algae, antipatherians and numerous hard corals (Ref. 57544). Inhabits reef walls and rubble in 10-60 m (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Raja Ampat Islands (Kawe Is., Waigeo Is.) (Ref. 85778).


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