Bathygobius cotticeps (Steindachner, 1879)
Cheekscaled frill-goby
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 6 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Characterized by mottled brown overall color; presence of broad dark grey bar below each dorsal fin; basal part of dorsal and caudal fins with dark spots forming bands; upper 5-7 pectoral rays partly free of membrane, uppermost with 5-7 branches; rounded caudal fin; longitudinal scale series 35-39; predorsal scales 21-23, extending to interorbital space; presence of scales on cheek and opercle; ctenoid body scales, becoming smaller and cycloid on head and anterior body; depressed head, width greater than depth; depth of body 4.2-5.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Benthic in rocks and coral of shallow waters (Ref. 58302). Also occurs in rocky pools of intertidal reef flats and exposed rocky shores in 0-2 m (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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