Asterropteryx bipunctata Allen & Munday, 1995
Orange-spotted goby
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  3.11 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 12 - 38 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Indo-Melanesian Archipelago from Sabah to Solomon Is.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Body whitish with orange spots covering both body and head; a black spot at the base of dorsal-fin spines and another at base of caudal. Preopercle spines, 4-7. Well-developed basal membrane of pelvic fin, extending for most of length of innermost ray. Caudal fin rounded to lanceolate. Cycloid scales on head, cheek and opercle, also on pectoral base and prepelvic region; ctenoid scales on predorsal and the rest of the body (Ref. 31115).
Biology:  Found in sand and rubble patches, located on ledges of steep seaward or lagoon reef slopes or at the base of these slopes. The fish lies on the bottom, retreating into crevices when threatened (Ref. 31115). Solitary (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 April 2022 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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