Istigobius diadema (Steindachner, 1876)
Spectacled sandgoby
photo by van der Sluijs, P.

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 6 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Asia and Oceania: India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Characterized by pale grey to brownish body color grading to white on lower half; dark brown scale margins forming honeycomb pattern; presence of narrow dark brown to blackish stripe from rear edge of eye to above base of pectoral fin; dorsal and lower part of caudal fins with dark spotting; fully united pelvic fins with well developed frenum; rounded caudal fin, about equal to head length; longitudinal scale series 32-38; predorsal scales 12-16, reaching interorbital space; ctenoid body scales, becoming cycloid anterior to pectoral and pelvic fins; scales absent on cheek, 1-2 rows on anterodorsal part of operculum; depth of body 4.7-6.4 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits sand or mud bottoms of estuaries and sheltered shoreline reefs in 0-6 m (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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