| Family: |
Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae |
| Max. size: |
2.32 cm SL (male/unsexed); 2 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 20 - 22 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Indonesia (West Papua); but likely to reveal a wider distribution in eastern Indonesa and the Coral Triangle region. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: a basal membrane fully joining fifth pelvic-fin rays; without frenum; a cephalic sensory-canal system with POP, NA, AITO (single), PITO, AOT, SOT pores present; pelvic-fin rays branched; D2 I,9; A I,8; pectoral-fin rays 16 or 17, all unbranched; body stocky with a deep caudal peduncle (15-18% SL) not tapering from mid-body. Colour pattern in life with a bluish-grey background with red-orange markings over head, pectoral-fin base, and as a bar on each body scale; fins with iridescent sky-blue margins and round reddish spots along spines of second dorsal fin (Ref. 121769). |
| Biology: |
This cryptic species was only observed in close association with a particular species of tube sponge that is provisionally assigned to the genus Theonella. Using an underwater lightsource, the goby could be seen peering out from the darkened recesses of the exhalent pore of the sponge, but would quickly retreat deep into the canal structure. This behavior made it difficult to photograph in situ or to capture by hand, even with the use of anesthetic clove oil. The sponge was commonly observed on current-exposed walls and steep slopes in the 15-25 m depth range; a visual survey of approximately 200 individual sponges revealed only 10 of this new species (Ref. 121769). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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