GOBIIDAE


Oxyurichthys microlepis, 5.9 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Oxyurichthys microlepis
(Bleeker, 1849)
Blackspotted Goby

D VI+I, 12; A I, 11-13; P1 21-22; LR 49-52; PDS 0.

Body elongate, compressed. Head slightly compresed; low raised cutaneous ridge along predorsal midline; no tentacle-like process on eye (but small cutaneous bump may be present on dorsal surface of eye); jaws subequal; single and 2-3 rows of teeth on upper and lower jaws, respectively; gill opening not extending anteriorly to a vertical through preopercular margin. Spines of first dorsal fin more or less elongate, filamentous (at least their distal tips); pelvic fins united medially; frenum present; caudal fin lanceolate, longer than head. Scales on body cycloid, except for weak ctenoid scales on posterior part; head naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; distinct transverse pattern of sensorypapillae rows on cheek. Color: head and body pale grayish brown, with ca. 5 vague dusky blotches on midletral body; a dusky dot at center of each scale on nape and dorsum; a shadowlike dusky blotch beneath eye. Size: 9.5 cm SL. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean, Andaman Sea and Indonesia. Remarks: found on muddy bottoms in protected bays and tidal estuaries.