Gobiodon acicularis Harold & Winterbottom, 1995
Needlespine coral goby
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  3.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Belau [=Palau] to Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Only species in the genus with a filamentous first dorsal spine. (Ref. 37816); characterized by yellowish-brown to black color including fins; triangular first dorsal fin, prolonged and filamentous at apex; absence of scales; complete pelvic fin frenum and basal membrane; pelvic fin reaching anus; depth of body at pelvic fin level 2.0-2.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Specimens were collected from coral-enclosed area and reef bordering eel-grass flat (Ref. 13690). Also found among branches of hard corals including Echinopora horrida, E.mammiformis and Hydnophora rigida (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 (A2c) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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