Teleostei (teleosts) >
Gobiiformes (Gobies) >
Gobiidae (Gobies) > Gobiinae
Etymology: Gobiodon: Latin, gobius = gudgeon + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Valenciennes.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 70 m (Ref. 86942), usually 0 - 2 m (Ref. 89972). Tropical; 38°N - 33°S, 94°E - 165°W
Pacific Ocean: Philippines to the Society Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Australia (including Rowley Shoals, Western Australia) and Tonga.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 48637)
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Characterized by dark brown body color and lighter brown to reddish head with five vertical blue lines; young fish with additional vertical lines on body; absence of scales; complete pelvic fin frenum and basal membrane; depth of body at level of pelvic fins 2.6-2.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
Facultative air-breathing in the genus (Ref. 126274); Found in groups among branches of Acropora coral (Ref. 9710, 48637); a coral-commensal species (Ref. 72446). Feeds on small invertebrates and zooplanktons (Ref. 89972). Monogamous (Ref. 52884). The male takes care of eggs deposited on a coral branch (Ref. 32163). It has the ability to change sex in both directions to favor reproductive success (Ref. 32163).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
The male takes care of eggs deposited on a coral branch (Ref. 32163). Has the ability to change sex in both directions to favor reproductive success (Ref. 32163). Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social (Ref. 52884).
Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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