Trimma taylori Lobel, 1979
Yellow pygmygoby
Trimma taylori
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  3.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 20 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Maldives to Hawaiian and Society Islands; Japan to Australia (Queensland and Northwest Shelf); throughout East Indian region.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Males have longer dorsal spines and yellow spotting on the fins (Ref. 1602); characterized further by semi-translucent upper part of body, pinkish orange below; head and median fins with yellow orange spots; elongate and filamentous second dorsal spine; fifth pelvic ray branched, 75-85% length of fourth ray; longitudinal scale series 23-24; predorsal scales absent; cheek and opercle without scales; depth of body 4.0-4.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Occur in caves of drop-offs at depths of about 25 to at least 50 m (Ref. 48637, 58302). Form loose schools near the roofs or sides of caves and disappears into holes or crevices when approached. Often seen with other species of Trimma and feeds on harpacticoid copepods (Ref. 48637).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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