Mud reef-goby (Exyrias belissimus)

Scientific name: Exyrias belissimus Smith, 1959

The Mud reef-goby (Exyrias belissimus) is a marine fish of the family Gobiidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, East Africa to Samoa, north to Yaeyama Islands, south to Fiji.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 26. Dorsal half of body brown, ventral half yellow, with 7-8 dark brown bars. Small silvery white spots on cheeks and opercula. Predorsal scales 8 or 9. Usually, spines on 1st dorsal fin elongated into filaments with the 3rd and 4th typically longest; spine of 2nd dorsal fin with red and white alternating bands, spots on rays and membrane. Cycloid scales only on nape and isthmus. Cheeks and opercula fully scaled. Teeth small and tightly packed in jaws.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Exyrias belissimus
Family: Gobiidae (Gobies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 15.0
Depth range: 0–20 m (0–66 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 20 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to Samoa, north to Yaeyama Islands, south to Fiji.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)