GOBIIDAE


Amblygobius nocturnus, 3.3 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Amblygobius nocturnus
(Herre, 1945)
Pajama Goby

D VI + I, 13-15; A I, 13-15; P1 18-20; LR 60-67; PDS 0.

Body moderately elongate and compressed. Head slightly compressed; snout rounded, not protruding anteriorly beyond jaws; gill opening not extending anteriorly to a vertical line through posterior margin of preopercle; tongue near truncate. No elongate and/or filamentous dorsalfin spines; pelvic fins united medially; frenum present. Scales on body cycloid; head naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; a series of short transverse rows of sensory papillae below eye; a pair of short longitudinal sensory-papillae rows just behind chin. Color: 2-3 narrow horizontal pink or red stripes from head to body (vivid on head, gradually fading posteriorly on body); several faint short saddle-like dusky bars on dorsum around dorsalfin base. Size: 5.0 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in protected bays with muddy bottom, and also enters estuaries; usually hovers shortly above nest burrow.