Stonogobiops medon Hoese & Randall, 1982
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  5.3 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 22 - 35 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: an apparent endemic to the Marquesas Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 26-26. Scales on thorax and pectoral base small and embedded. Eyes and mouth large. Head pores absent. Angle of jaws 40 degrees. Tan in body color with pale spot on each scale; median fins greenish; 2nd dorsal fin with yellowish brown lines; pectoral fins pointed with tan rays, clear membranes; pelvic fins tan. Adults with dark head band ending on upper margin of preoperculum. Longitudinal scale series 100-115, transverse 24-29. 1st to 3rd dorsal spines of adults greatly prolonged. Median predorsal region scaled forward to above preoperculum.
Biology:  A burrowing species occurring on flat or slightly sloping sand or sand and rubble bottoms. Takes refuge in a burrow constructed by its symbiont alpheid shrimp (a juvenile observed to live with Alpheus randalli). Feeds on small benthic invertebrates (Ref. 89972).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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