Taenioides cirratus (Blyth, 1860)
Bearded worm goby
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Amblyopinae
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 6 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: offshore islands of east Africa, India, and Australia. Reported from Japan (Ref. 559), South Korea (Ref. 77001), Bangladesh (Ref. 1479), New Guinea (Ref. 2847) and New Caledonia (Ref. 13246).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 43-49; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 42-47
Biology:  Found in coastal waters, estuaries (Ref. 4833) and rivers (Ref. 2847). Mud-dweller presumed to occur in estuaries (Ref. 4343). Capable of living out of the water for considerable time by taking air into the bronchial chambers (Ref. 4833). Feeds on crustaceans and other invertebrates and probably small fishes (Ref. 12693). Not seen in markets (Ref. 12693).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 10 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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