Trimma tauroculum Winterbottom & Zur, 2007
Bullseye pygmygoby
Trimma tauroculum
photo by Nagano, H.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  1.92 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 27 - 73 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Palau.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8. The species is characterized by the absence of scales on the cheek, opercle and midline of the nape; fifth pelvic fin ray branched sequentially once; a moderate interorbital trench; a short and narrow postorbital trench; color of living specimens red with a white belly, a large brown-black spot larger than the eye immediately above the pectoral fin base and numerous smaller dark spots across the nape; and in preserved specimens the dark spots remain but the ground color is yellow. Differs from its congeners by the very large 1.25 eye diameter brown-black spot above the pectoral fin base and the rows of smaller brown spots on the nape separated by a honeycomb pattern (Ref. 59339).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 September 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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