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Ptereleotris heteroptera (Bleeker, 1855) Blacktail goby |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Microdesmidae (Wormfishes), subfamily: Ptereleotrinae | |||
| Max. size: | 14 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 80 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian, Line, Marquesas, and Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island; Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands in Micronesia. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29-33; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 27-30; Vertebrae: 26-26. Light blue to pale bluish gray; upper edge of operculum with a longitudinal iridescent blue band divided into 2 sections. Caudal fin yellowish, some with an orangish streak passing anteriorly from spot; 1st dorsal fin not as high as the 2nd; 2nd dorsal and anal fins not elevated anteriorly; pelvic fins not long; base of pectoral fin usually with a blue-edged salmon-pink spot. | |||
| Biology: | Occurs in lagoons or bays, in passes, or on outer reef slopes; over hard substrate as well as patches of rubble or sand, usually at the base of the reef. Adults are usually in pairs and share burrow which is often under a piece of rubble or slab of coral rock. Adults feed on current-borne zooplankton as high as 3 m above the burrow; tend to remain together while feeding, separated by not more than 1-2 m. Monogamous (Ref. 52884, 48637). Juveniles occur in large groups, as many as 500. Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||