GOBIIDAE


Mahidolia mystacina, NSMT-P 65936, 2.9 cm SL

Mahidolia mystacina (Valenciennes, 1837)
Flagfin prawn goby

D VI - I, 10; A I, 9; P1 17 - 18; LR 35 - 37; PDS 0. Body relatively short, compressed. Head compressed; jaws large, extending posteriorly to or beyond a vertical through posterior margin of eye; gill opening extending anteriorly beyond a vertical through preopercular margin. Pelvic fins united medially. Scales ctenoid, excepting anterior part of body and breast with cycloid; head and pectoral fin base naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; distinct transverse sensory-papillae rows on cheek; a pair of short longitudinal sensory-papillae rows just behind chin. Color: body gray brown, with 4 - 7 oblique dusky bars; first dorsal fin with alternating dull-yellow and dusky semi-circular bands and/or black blotches. Size: 8.0 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Remarks: found in bays and estuaries with sandy-mud bottom.