Stiphodon imperiorientis Watson & Chen, 1998
photo by FishBase

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Sicydiinae
Max. size:  5.01 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.18 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine, amphidromous
Distribution:  Asia: southern Japan and the mainland of South China, and probably appears in eastern Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 10-10. This species is a large-sized Stiphodon with the pectoral fin spotted and sexual dimorphism obvious. Mature male with body grey or dark with iridescent blue/ green/ purple lateral bars (depending on viewing angle), snout and cheek iridescent blue/ green/ purple, first dorsal fin elongated and triangular, second dorsal fin with obvious spots (spots on first dorsal fin not obvious) and the female with two obvious transverse stripes on the body (Ref. 28731, 43239).
Biology:  Prefers to inhabit areas of boulders with a rock and gravel bottoms in clear streams (Ref. 28731) and mainly feed on epiphyte and biofilm on rocks in the wild. Due to its possible amphidromous nature, as known to occur with its congeners (adults live and breed in freshwater streams; larvae hatched drift downstream and develop in marine environments; juveniles return to freshwater streams), blockage of the migration pathway (e.g. construction of dam or culvert in streams) would cause a significant impact on this species. Ensuring no net loss of habitat, keeping the natural stream flow and maintaining the stream-ocean corridor are all essential for preserving this species (based on researches on its congeners; see Ref. 82683, 82684, 82685, 82689, 82690, 82692). Collection conducted by aquarium hobbyists (both private and commercial) also poses a serious threat to Stiphodon species in some regions (Ref. 82684) and this kind of activity should be strictly controlled (Ref. 82694).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 March 2007 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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