EVIOTA PRASITES - (JORDAN & SEALE, 1906)
Picture courtesy of: Alain Daoulas
Hairfin Eviota, Hairfin pygmy goby, Prasites pygmy goby, Hair-fin pygmy goby, Hairfin dwarfgoby, Red and white-spotted pygmygoby, Ao-isohaze, アオイソハゼ, 胸斑矶塘鳢, 胸斑磯塘鱧,
Synonyme
Eviota parasites (Jordan & Seale, 1906)
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Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9 (usually: 8); Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 6-7 (usually: 7); Pectoral fin rays: 14-17 (usually: 15-16); Pelvic fin rays: I, 4, fourth ray of pelvic fin modally with 5 branches; Segments between consecutive branches of the fourth pelvic ray number 1-10, most often 4-5; Pelvic fin membrane well developed; Branched caudal fin rays: 9-12 (usually: 11); Segmented caudal fin rays: 16-17 (usually: 17); Lateral scale rows 21-23 (usually: 22); Transverse scale rows 5-7 (usually: 5-6); Depth of body 3.9-4.8 in SL. Breast scaled. Scales with a single row of about 20-40 ctenii on posterior margin; About 7-15 primary radii on anterior field; No radii in posterior and lateral fields; Scales extremely eccentric, the radii converging broadly in focal area. First 5 dorsal spines of males may be elongate, the first 3 filamentous, the second spine longest, often extending to the first procurrent caudal fin rays; First 3 spines of females may be elongate, the longest extending to the base of the second dorsal fin ray; Pelvic fins long, extending beyond origin of anal fin, usually reaching midportion of anal fin base. Max. length: 3.0 cm. Depth range: 1 - 30 m.
Color
Body pale, posterior edge of scales dusky red; Lips and snout rose colored; About 16 red saddles from nape to base of caudal fin; Distinct black spot at upper portion of base of pectoral fin; Dusky red internal spot below midbase of caudal fin; 3 red internal blotches at base of anal and 3 more ventrally on caudal peduncle; First dorsal spines orange, the rays pale on other fins; Dusky red spots on membranes of second dorsal and caudal fins.
Etymology
Eviota: from Greek prefix, ev-, eu-, = good or well, very + from Greek letter, iota = smallest letter in the Greek alphabet and often figuratively used to describe anything small or insignificant. Referring to Eviota epiphanes (Jenkins, 1903), which, at 1.0-1.9 cm in length, Jenkins claimed was the “smallest vertebrate that has up to this time been described”.
prasites: old name given to the wine that was infused on marrube leaves (medicinal plant). Reffering to its red color.
Original description: Eviota prasites Jordan & Seale, 1906 - Type locality: Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa east to Mariana Islands and Samoa, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to northern Australia, New Caledonia, Lord Howe and Norfolk islands.
Biology
Inhabits rubble of lagoon reefs. Occurs in small groups.
Similar species
Eviota pellucida (Larson, 1976) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here).
Eviota shimadai (Greenfield & Randall, 2010) - Reported from Japan (Ogasawara Islands and Ryukyu Islands), Palau and Indonesia (Bali and Raja Ampat).
Eviota sigillata (Jewett & Lachner, 1983) - Reported from New Caledonia.
Eviota spilota (Lachner & Karnella, 1980) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here).
Eviota zebrina (Lachner & Karnella, 1978) - Reported from Indian Ocean: Seychelles, Saint Brandon's Shoals, Mauritius (Mascarenes) and Maldives. Eviota prasites, lacks black spot on the tail base, and has more red on the body.
Last update: 28, July 2022