Decorated goby (Istigobius decoratus)

Scientific name: Istigobius decoratus Herre, 1927

The Decorated goby (Istigobius decoratus) is a marine fish of the family Gobiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–29°C (73–84°F). Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea to Samoa, north to Taiwan, south to Lord Howe Island.

Decorated goby care at a glance

Temperature: 23–29°C (73–84°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 26. Color highly variable. Segmented and non branching caudal rays 3 (rarely 2), branching 14 (rarely 15). Predorsal cycloid scales 7-10, trunk ctenoid. Few with no black spots on nape. Isthmus narrow, scaled forward to vertical at posterior part of preoperculum. 2 diagonal, dusky lines on operculum; an inverted U-shaped spot prominent at the distal end of upper jaw. Pectoral fin with small dusky spots; 2 longitudinal lines on pectoral base spreading onto it fin rays. Sexual dimorphism exhibited in anal, pelvic and 2nd dorsal fin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Istigobius decoratus
Family: Gobiidae (Gobies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 13.0
Depth range: 0–20 m (0–66 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m, usually 1 - 18 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea to Samoa, north to Taiwan, south to Lord Howe Island.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)