GOBIIDAE


Myersina crocatus, 7.8 cm SL
(male; photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Myersina crocatus
(Wongratana, 1975)
Yellow-markings Shrimpgoby

D VI+I, 10; A I, 9; P1 16-18; LR 65- 78; PDS 0.

Body moderately elongate and compressed. Head compressed; lower jaw projecting beyond upper jaw; gill opening extending anteriorly beyond a vertical through preopercular margin. Spines of first dorsal fin variably elongate, third and fourth spine longest; pelvic fins united medially; frenum present. No scales on head; body scales cycloid. Sensory canals and pores present on head; transverse pattern of sensory-papillae rows on cheek. Color: head and body pale gray or beige, darkened dorsally, sometimes with a horizontal dusky stripes from eye to caudal peduncle; many yellow spots scattered on head and pectoral-fin base; male with horizontal orange lines on body, whereas female has many narrow oblique or vertical whitish bars on body. Size: 8.5 cm SL. Distribution: Andaman Sea and West Pacific. Remarks: found on muddy bottoms; symbiotically associated with alpheid shrimps.