GOBIIDAE


Eviota punctulata, 1.6 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Eviota punctulata
Jewett and Lachner, 1983
Pepperfin Pygmygoby

D VI + I, 8-10; A I, 7-8 (usually I, 8); P1 15-18; LR 23-26; PDS 0.

Body relatively short, compressed. Head slightly compressed; jaws subequal; gill opening not reaching anteriorly to a vertical through preopercular margin. Pelvic fins almost separated; frenum absent. Scales ctenoid; head, breast, and pectoral-fin base naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; reduced longitudinal pattern of sensorypapillae rows on cheek; a pair of sensory papillae just behind chin. Color: when alive, head subtranslucent with several small reddish-brown spots; body subtransparent with dusky scale pockets; belly dark brown, with 3-4 narrow bright blue-green vertical lines; similar colored diagonal line across base of pectoral fin; dorsal and caudalfin rays with dusky dots. Size: 2.3 cm SL. Distribution: Andaman Sea and West Pacific. Remarks: found in coral reefs with dead-coral rubbles.