GOBIIDAE


Favonigobius melanobranchus, NSMT-P 65930, 3.1 cm SL

Favonigobius melanobranchus (Fowler, 1934)
Blackthroat goby

D VI - I, 8; A I, 8; P1 16; LR 27 - 28; PDS 1 - 2. Body slender, compressed posteriorly. Head slightly depressed; lower jaw slightly projecting beyond upper jaw. No elongate, filamentous spines on first dorsal fin; pelvic fins united medially. Scales ctenoid, excluding breast and pectoral fin base with cycloid scales; head naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; sensory papillae rows on cheek multiple, but not forming distinct transverse rows; aggregation of sensory papillae just behind chin. Color: head and body pale gray with numerous black dots; ventral side of head black; upper part of caudal fin usually with a semi-ocellated spot. Size: 5.5 cm. Distribution: Andaman Sea and West Pacific. Remarks: found in tidal estuaries and mangrove areas with flat sandy-mud bottoms.