HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishGobiesShoulderspot goby Shoulderspot goby (Gnatholepis cauerensis hawaiiensis) Scientific name: Gnatholepis cauerensis hawaiiensis Randall & Greenfield, 2001 The Shoulderspot goby (Gnatholepis cauerensis hawaiiensis) is a marine fish of the family Gobiidae. Native range: Eastern Central Pacific, Hawaii. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 11. In life, dark longitudinal lines on body may be red, orangish brown, or dark brown; a large blue area around and below large dark blotches of lateral series (blues less apparent on posterior blotches); numerous small blue spots around and above lateral series of dark blotches, also on operculum, cheek and middle of pectoral-fin base; a vertically elongate bright yellow spot in black humeral blotch; dark bar under eye may be black or dark brownish red; lines on caudal fin varying from red to dark brown. Body when preserved whitish to pale yellowish brown with 3 longitudinal rows of dusky blotches, the lower series of 6 blotches, at level of pectoral fin, the most prominent; brown longitudinal lines following center of scale rows on body (lines may be partially broken or may contain darker brown dots, generally one per scale); a dark brown to black blotch above pectoral-fin base, uSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameGnatholepis cauerensis hawaiiensisFamilyGobiidae (Gobies)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length4.2Depth range2–29 m (7–95 ft)EnvironmentMarine; demersal; depth range 2 - 29 mClimateTropicalDistributionEastern Central Pacific: Hawaii.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026