Paragobiodon xanthosoma (Bleeker, 1853)
Emerald coral goby
Mano'o-ulutu'i
Paragobiodon xanthosoma
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 70 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Green to greenish yellow in color, often with a dark caudal margin; adults with elongate flaps on top of head (Ref. 1602). Transverse scales 10. Mouth nearly vertical, lips thick. Head and nape naked to first dorsal fin origin. Gill opening located at same level as pectoral base. Ventral small; first dorsal and anal lower than 2nd dorsal; pectoral extends beyond anus; caudal rounded. Scales less firmly attached than other congeneric species (Ref. 43541).; characterized further by having longitudinal scale series 22-24; ctenoid scales except head, nape, prepectoral region, breast and midventral portion of abdomen which is scaleless; head and nape with numerous bristle-like cirri; complete pelvic fin frenum and basal membrane; depth of body at level of pelvic fins 2.6-3.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found exclusively among branches of Seriatopora hystrix coral (Ref. 2334); usually in pairs. Monogamous (Ref. 52884).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Also Ref. 1602.


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.