Varicus roatanensis Fuentes, Baldwin, Robertson, Lardizabal & Tornabene, 2023
Roatan goby

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  1.85 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 237 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: Honduras.
Diagnosis:  Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 27-27. This species is distinguished by: D2 I,8; A I,8; P 17; body scaled with 28 lateral rows of ctenoid scales, modified basicaudal scales present; pelvic rays 1-4 unbranched. Colouration: body white with a series of elongate yellow dashes along lateral midline with scattered yellow spots between lateral midline and dorsal midline; dorsal and caudal fins white with bright yellow spots in life; pectoral, pelvic and anal fins white (Ref. 129296).
Biology:  A deep-reef goby collected from rariphotic depth ca. 237 m, found on a silt-covered boulder with small 3-10 cm diameter caves and crevices (Ref. 129296).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.