Trimma hoesei Winterbottom, 1984
Forktail pygmygoby
Trimma hoesei
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 15 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Chagos Islands east to Fiji, south to Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Characterized by semi-translucent upper half of body, pinkish on lower half; most body scales with vertical yellow streak on caudal and bands/stripes on dorsal and anal; elongate second and third dorsal spine; branched 9-10 pectoral rays; fifth pelvic ray branched, about equal to length of fourth ray; forked caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 23-26; predorsal scales 2-5; cheek and opercle without scales; depth of body 4.5-4.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits steep outer reef slopes, often upside-down in caves, in 15-50 m (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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