| Family: |
Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae |
| Max. size: |
2.65 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI+I,10; A I,8; head and body are naked; presence of a deep curved groove on isthmus; body and caudal peduncle slender (depth 37-41.2% and 13.8-14.7% SL, respectively); juveniles with rounded head, large adults slightly hump-headed; colour in juveniles and adults uniformly black, including iris; very small species (< 2.8 cm SL); females of breeding pairs usually significantly larger than males, recorded smallest highly gravid female is 1.85 cm SL (Ref. 94082). |
| Biology: |
This species is found in shallow water regions such as protected reef flats and reef crests. It is highly specialized and prefers fine-branched corals such as Acropora selago and small tabulate colonies of Acropora hyacinthus. Seldom occurs in other Acropora species, such as A. acuminata, A. samoensis, A. eurystoma and A. valida. Due to its black colouration it is sometimes difficult to detect within the dark interstices of narrow-branched Acropora colonies (Ref. 94082). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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