Asterropteryx atripes Shibukawa & Suzuki, 2002
Yano’s starry goby
Asterropteryx atripes
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.19 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 25 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Andaman Is., Brunei, Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: long, filamentous 3rd spine of 1st dorsal fin, distal tip usually over end of 2nd dorsal fin base when adpressed; almost separated pelvic fins, innermost (= 5th) segmented rays connected by rudimentary low membrane between bases, no frenum; 4-7 short spines on posterior margin of preopercle (uppermost spine usually just behind the cephalic sensory canal pore N); large eye, 32.3-35.8% of head length; enlarged haemal arches on 1st two caudal vertebrae; posterior margin of eye to caudal fin base has a distinct black band (indistinct in dark-phase individuals); black pelvic fin (vivid in dark phase individuals); many minute bright blue spots on head and body when live or fresh; distinct dark spots on head and body absent; iris entirely reddish-brown or dusky (bright white ventrally in pale-phase individuals) when alive or fresh, becoming entirely black in preservation, with no white transverse bar on middorsal surface; has a hovering habit (Ref. 44260).
Biology:  Inhabits sheltered bays on sand, rubble and mud bottoms in 10-25 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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