Schismatogobius essi Keith, Lord & Larson, 2017

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  2.63 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Oceania: Solomon Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Schismatogobius essi is distinguished by having the following characters: pectoral fin usually with 15 pectoral; pectoral fins with broad black triangular wedge dorsally usually with few rows of dark spots below it; dorsal flns VI-I,9; membrane in flrst dorsal fin posterior to spine 6 not connected to base of spine in second dorsal fln; anal fln I,8-9; ventral surface ofhead, frenum and pelvic disc in male entirely blackish or entirely brownish; and in females, underside of head pale with chin and surrounding area blackish, with diffuse dark brown area on anterior part of branchiostegal membrane and isthmus (Ref. 116768).
Biology:  Occurs in streams with moderate to fast flow in shallow areas of gravel (depth 0.3-0.7 m) just above tidal influence, in company with Schismatogobius bruynisi and S. vanuatuensis (Ref. 116768).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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