Ornate goby (Istigobius ornatus)

Scientific name: Istigobius ornatus R?ppell, 1830

The Ornate goby (Istigobius ornatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gobiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 21–29°C (70–84°F). Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea south to northern Mozambique and east to Fiji, north to southern Taiwan, south to New Caledonia. Recently recorded from Tonga.

Ornate goby care at a glance

Temperature: 21–29°C (70–84°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 26. Upper 3-4 pectoral fin rays free. Body color pale gray; operculum with 5 small blue spots interspersed with brownish red spots; 5 vertical rows of white spots on pectoral fins; anterior tip of first dorsal fin bright yellow. 4th spine of 1st dorsal fin longest. Predorsal scales cycloid, trunk ctenoid. Mouth with overhanging snout, lips greatly thickened. Cheeks and operculae without scales. Female pelvic and anal fins not as darkly pigmented as in male.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Istigobius ornatus
Family: Gobiidae (Gobies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 11.0
Depth range: 0–2 m (0–7 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 2 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to northern Mozambique and east to Fiji, north to southern Taiwan, south to New Caledonia. Recently recorded from Tonga.
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.)