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Gobiidae (Gobies) > Gobiinae
Etymology: Asterropteryx: Greek, a = with + Greek, sterros, -a, -on = consistent + Greek, pteryx = fin (Ref. 45335); atripes: Named for its conspicuouc black pelvic fin.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 25 m (Ref. 90102). Subtropical
Indo-West Pacific: Andaman Is., Brunei, Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 2.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44260)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 26. This species is distinguished from its congeners by having the following combination
of characters: long, filamentous 3rd spine of 1st dorsal fin, distal tip usually over end of 2nd dorsal fin base when adpressed; almost separated pelvic fins, innermost (= 5th) segmented rays connected by rudimentary low membrane between bases, no frenum; 4-7 short spines on posterior margin of preopercle (uppermost spine usually just behind the cephalic sensory canal pore N); large eye, 32.3-35.8% of head length; enlarged haemal arches on 1st two caudal vertebrae; posterior margin of eye to caudal fin base has a distinct black band (indistinct in dark-phase individuals); black pelvic fin (vivid in dark phase individuals); many minute bright blue spots on head and body when live or fresh; distinct dark spots on head and body absent; iris entirely reddish-brown or dusky (bright white ventrally in pale-phase individuals) when alive or fresh, becoming entirely black in preservation, with no white transverse bar on middorsal surface; has a hovering habit (Ref. 44260).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Inhabits sheltered bays on sand, rubble and mud bottoms in 10-25 m (Ref 90102).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Shibukawa, K. and T. Suzuki, 2002. Asterropteryx atripes, a new gobiid fish from the Western Pacific Ocean (Perciformes: Gobioidei). Ichthyol. Res. 49(3):274-280. (Ref. 44260)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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