Eviota oculineata Tornabene, Greenfield & Erdmann, 2021
False-comet dwarfgoby
photo by Whitworth, R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  1.09 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 35 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: New Guinea and the Solomon Is.; possibly in Fiji, Indonesia (Banda Sea), and Australia (Great Barrier Reef).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-7. This species is distinguished by the following: body depth ca. 27-31% SL; pectoral-fin rays usually 14; cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only the IT pore, AITO small and opening dorsally; pectoral-fin rays unbranched; dorsal/anal-fin formula 8/7; fifth pelvic-fin ray 8-15% of 4th ray. Colouration: with a large and dark oval spot on area of preural centrum connected to a short, vertically elongate spot over end of hypural plate; caudal fin of freshly dead specimens with no prominent vertical bars; naris long and reddish brown; side of body with prominent red lateral streak bordered dorsally by 3-5 elongate white dashes; eye with two distinct horizontal stripes, one white crossing through lower margin of pupil, the other yellow crossing upper margin of pupil (Ref. 126557).
Biology:  This species apparently prefers outer reef slopes exposed to clear oceanic water and is frequently observed resting individually on coralline algae outcrops or live plate corals (Ref. 126577).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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