Gnatholepis yoshinoi Suzuki & Randall, 2009
Yoshino's goby
Gnatholepis yoshinoi
photo by Hazes, B.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobionellinae
Max. size:  3.13 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 1 - 12 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan and Malaysia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 11-11. This species is characterized by the following, D VI+I,10-11; A I,11; pectoral-fin rays 15; longitudinal scale series 27; cheek scales extending nearly to a vertical at anterior edge of orbit; median predorsal scales extending to posterior interorbital space; fully scaled prepectoral area; 2+4 gill rakers; body depth at origin of pelvic fins 3.9-4.25 in SL; very compressed body, width 1.55-1.8 in body depth; head length 3.25-3.3 in SL; first dorsal fin higher than second, with longest spine 1.25-1.5 in HL; caudal fin is longer than head, 2.7-2.8 in SL (Ref. 82658); moderately large Gnatholepis (up to 58 mm SL) with nape midline scales always cycloid and most of predorsal scales cycloid; body pale with 6-8 rows of staggered dark brown spots, mid-lateral spots may be largest; transverse black line on the upper part of the eye joining somewhat oblique to curved black line or bar crossing cheek and ending well behind end of jaw; third to fourth first dorsal fin spines longest, fin with square to rectangular appearance when extended; lateral scales 26-29, usually 27; 9-11 predorsal scales (usually 10), all cycloid (Ref. 92171).
Biology:  Inhabits mud-sand bottoms with Caulerpa green alga in 1-12 m (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 August 2023 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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