FUSIGOBIUS MAXIMUS - (RANDALL, 2001)
Actinopterygii (Class) > Perciformes (Order) > Gobioidei (Suborder) > Gobiidae (Family) > Gobiinae (Subfamily) > Fusigobius (Genus)
Large sandgoby,
Synonyme
Coryphopterus maximus (Randall, 2001)
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Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8. Characterized by semi-translucent body with dusky orange-yellow spots on head, body, dorsal and caudal fins; first membrane of dorsal fin with vertically elongate black spot; black spot at midbase of caudal fin; fully united pelvic fins; presence of pelvic frenum; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 26-27; ctenoid scales except cycloid on breast, base of pectoral fin and anteroventrally on abdomen; absence of scales on operculum; median predorsal scales absent, but scales on side of nape extending to above rear edge of preopercle; opening of gill extending to within one-fifth opercle width from posterior edge of preopercle; Depth of body: 4.7-5.5 in SL. Max. length : 7.5 cm SL male, 6.9 cm SL female. Depth range: 3 - 21 m.
Color
Translucent light gray with large obscure blackish dashes and smaller white dashes visible along vertebral column; spots on head and body dusky orange-yellow, except 1 at midbase of caudal fin that is black; sensory papillae of head black; pupil dark green, narrowly rimmed in yellow, iris yellowish on upper 3/4 with 5 yellowishbrown blotches, and light gray on lower 1/4; fins translucent, spots on dorsal and caudal fins dusky orange except for the conspicuous jet black spot on first membrane of first dorsal fin; outer margin of dorsal fins narrowly white.
Etymology
Fusigobius: from Latin, fusus = spindle + from Latin, gobius = gudgeon.
maximus: named for being the largest among its congeners.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines and the Coral Sea. Reported from Australia and New Caledonia.
Biology
Inhabits sand-rubble bottoms near reefs.
Similar species
Fusigobius pallidus (Randall, 2001) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here)
Large sandgoby,
Synonyme
Coryphopterus maximus (Randall, 2001)
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Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8. Characterized by semi-translucent body with dusky orange-yellow spots on head, body, dorsal and caudal fins; first membrane of dorsal fin with vertically elongate black spot; black spot at midbase of caudal fin; fully united pelvic fins; presence of pelvic frenum; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 26-27; ctenoid scales except cycloid on breast, base of pectoral fin and anteroventrally on abdomen; absence of scales on operculum; median predorsal scales absent, but scales on side of nape extending to above rear edge of preopercle; opening of gill extending to within one-fifth opercle width from posterior edge of preopercle; Depth of body: 4.7-5.5 in SL. Max. length : 7.5 cm SL male, 6.9 cm SL female. Depth range: 3 - 21 m.
Color
Translucent light gray with large obscure blackish dashes and smaller white dashes visible along vertebral column; spots on head and body dusky orange-yellow, except 1 at midbase of caudal fin that is black; sensory papillae of head black; pupil dark green, narrowly rimmed in yellow, iris yellowish on upper 3/4 with 5 yellowishbrown blotches, and light gray on lower 1/4; fins translucent, spots on dorsal and caudal fins dusky orange except for the conspicuous jet black spot on first membrane of first dorsal fin; outer margin of dorsal fins narrowly white.
Etymology
Fusigobius: from Latin, fusus = spindle + from Latin, gobius = gudgeon.
maximus: named for being the largest among its congeners.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines and the Coral Sea. Reported from Australia and New Caledonia.
Biology
Inhabits sand-rubble bottoms near reefs.
Similar species
Fusigobius pallidus (Randall, 2001) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here)