Pleurosicya micheli Fourmanoir, 1971
Michel's ghost goby
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Seychelles to Fiji and the Hawaiian Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-9. Sides of nape with 8-12 scale rows (Ref. 37816); characterized further by semi-transparent body; midlateral stripe, internal reddish brown; vertebral column with white markings above; longitudinal scale series 22-28; without median predorsal scales; scaled side of nape to above preopercle; broad gill opening, reaching at least to below rear edge of eye; depth of body at anus 5.0-7.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabit coastal reef slopes, usually on hard corals to about 30 meters depth. Sometimes found on the mantle of clams and eggs are usually laid on ascidians (Ref. 48637). Benthic (Ref. 58302). The species is generally commensal on hard corals.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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