Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9 (usually: 9); Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7-8 (usually: 7); Pectoral fin rays: 14-17; Pelvic fin rays: I, 4, fourth ray of pelvic fin with: 3-8 branches, averaging: 5.7; Segments between consecutive branches of the fourth pelvic fin ray number: 3-10, averaging: 5.3; Pelvic fin membrane well developed; Branched caudal fin rays: 9-12 (usually: 11); Segmented caudal fin rays: 17; Lateral scale rows: 22-23; Scales with about: 27-41 ctenii, 8-15 primary radii; Breast scaled. First five dorsal spines of males may be elongate, the first three filamentous, the first, second, and third spines longest and may be equal in length, extending beyond base of caudal fin when depressed; First three spines of females may be elongate, the longest extending to base of second dorsal fin ray; Pelvic fins long, extending beyond origin of anal fin, usually reaching midportion of anal fin base. Longitudinal scale series: 23-25; Ctenoid scales except on head, nape, breast and base of pectoral fin; Separated pelvic fins, bases joins by thin membrane; Fourth pelvic ray with: 3-8 branches; Depth of body: 3.9-4.5 in SL. Max. length: 2.15 cm SL. Depth range: 0 - 9 m.

Color
Translucent body with internal reddish-brown stripe, white dash-like markings immediately above and similar markings at level of upper pectoral fin base extending to middle of body; Cheek with short brown stripe across; Snout to occiput with white line on dorsal midline, side of snout with dark stripe; Pupil-sized bluish spot at upper pectoral fin base; Spots along base of dorsal fin, small and red-brown color; Posteroventral body with six short internal brownish bars. Females lack the heavy dark spot at base of first dorsal spine; Second dorsal and caudal fins finely dusky and lacking the linear rows of spots; Anal fin less dusky than males; Spots along midlines dorsally and ventrally posterior to anal fin are less well developed than in males.

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”.
spilota: from ancient Greek, spilos = spot. Referring to spots on second dorsal fin.
Original description: Eviota spilota Lachner & Karnella, 1980 - Type locality: Ninigo Island, 1°14'S, 144°22'E, Papua New Guinea, depth 0-30 feet.

Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: East Andaman Sea to Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Palau and Papua New Guinea south to New Caledonia.

Biology
Found in coral reefs, inshore.

Similar species
Eviota pellucida (Larson 1976) - Reported from New Caledonia - Link to the species (here).
Eviota prasites (Jordan & Seale, 1906) - 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).

Last update: 4, August 2022