Lythrypnus dalli (Gilbert, 1890)
Bluebanded goby
Gusanito del diablo
Lythrypnus dalli
photo by Gotshall, D.W.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  6.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 76 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Ecuador and north of Perú.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found usually in open rocky areas but retreats to crevices or holes or hides among spines of sea urchins when threatened. Territorial. Sits on exposed rock surfaces near a hole or crevice. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans. Oviparous (Ref. 56079). Males guard the eggs which are found attached to the walls of brood chamber (Ref. 56079). Female deposits oblong eggs in empty shells; male guards them. Often found with Lythrypnus zebra.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Punta Sal, including Lobos de Afuera islands. Collected from Bahía Samanco, Ancash (09°12’04"S; 78°33’27"W), Isla Foca, Piura (05°12’07"S; 81°12’29"W), and Punta Sal, Tumbes (03°57’12"S, 80°57’49"W) (Ref. 82323).


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