Astrabe fasciata Akihito & Meguro, 1988
Astrabe fasciata
photo by Suzuki, T.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  4.8 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.5 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 2 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-9; Vertebrae: 30-30. This species is distinguished by the following characters: protrusion present on the upper posterior part of dermal fold along the upper margin of eye; longitudinal scales 51-54 (mean 52.7); transverse scales 10-14 (mean 11.7); predorsal scales absent; no scales on belly; scales do not extend to the first dorsal, second dorsal and anal fins; width of scaled area 44.0-66.7% (mean 57.7%) of body depth at origin of anal fin; a narrow white transverse band across base of pectoral fins whose width at median dorsal line is 4.0-8.0% (mean 6.2%) of SL; a white transverse band of similar width across anterior part of first dorsal fin extending to the ventral side of the body; when alive, white markings present on a dark brown ground colour (Ref. 12703).
Biology:  Specimens found under stones of 5 to 30 in diameter (Ref. 12703).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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