Coryphopterus tortugae (Jordan, 1904)
Patch-reef goby
photo by Ryan, P.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  4.1 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Panama, and USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: modal D VI, I,9; A I,9; pectoral fin rays 19; longitudinal scale series 26-27; pelvic fins are fully joined medially by a membrane, innermost rays branched and about equal in length to the next ray and a distinct frenum between the two pelvic fin spines; a prominent, dark, upward-pointed triangle-marking on the stripe behind the eye, collection of small melanophores on the lower third of the pectoral fin base absent; bar of melanophores from the eyeball at 8 o’clock to the mid-maxillary absent; 2 or 3 discrete spots along the dorsal midline on the top of the head between the interorbital and dorsal fin; usually an incomplete upper eye-stripe; and a basicaudal marking that is typically a simple vertical bar (Ref. 75186).
Biology:  Collected in shallow sandy bays with clear water and some coral growth together with C. glaucofraenum; also In areas of shallow patch reefs, clear water, and low currents (Ref. 75186).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 March 2010 (A3ce) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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