Elacatinus lobeli Randall & Colin, 2009
Caribbean neon goby
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  3.1 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 0 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Caribbean Sea. Belize, Honduras (Ref. 81929).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 10-11. Dorsal rays VII + I, 10–12 (usually 11); anal rays I,10 (10–11, rarely 11); pectoral rays 15–17 (usually 16); branched caudal rays 10–12 (usually 11); mouth ventral, the snout overhanging; tongue truncate; rostral frenum present; color in alcohol pale yellowish with a black stripe from front of snout, through lower half of eye, across upper part of operculum and dorsal third of pectoral-fin base, broadening along lower side of body, to posterior end of caudal fin; a broad black middorsal stripe on snout, continuing onto postorbital head (where often divided medially), then along base of dorsal fin, joining to a single narrow stripe dorsally on caudal peduncle, and extending submarginally to end of caudal fin; color in life pale gray to white, with black stripes as described; a narrow, pale blue, pale yellow, or white stripe from anterior nostril through dorsal part of eye, continuing as a narrow bright blue stripe within lower part of pale gray stripe on upper side of body, and extending as a narrow blue band into caudal fin.
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 23 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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