GOBIIDAE


Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus, 2.6 cm SL
(photo by Koichi Shibukawa)



Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus, 5.6 cm SL
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Cryptocentrus caeruleomaculatus
(Herre, 1933)
Blue-speckled Prawn Goby

D VI+I, 10; A I, 9; P1 17; LR 62; PDS 0.

Body moderately elongate and compressed. Head slightly compressed; jaws subequal; gill opening reaching anteriorly around a vertical through posterior margin of preopercle. Pelvic fins united medially; frenum present. Scales ctenoid, excluding those on belly cycloid; head and nape naked. Sensory canals and pores present on head; distinct transverse pattern of sensory-papillae rows on cheek; a pair of short longitudinal sensory papillae rows just behind chin. Color: head and body gray brown, scattered with numerous red and bright blue spots; alternative dark brown and pale yellow vertical bars on anal fin. Size: 6.6 cm SL. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: found in tidal estuaries and shallow coastal waters with sandy bottoms and rubbles; symbiotically associates with alpheid shrimps.