Istigobius decoratus (Herre, 1927)
Decorated goby

Bia

Istigobius decoratus
photo by Brett, O.J. / www.tropicalfavourites.com

 Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
 Max. size:  13 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 1 - 25 m
 Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf (Ref.80050) and Red Sea to Samoa, north to Taiwan, south to Lord Howe Island.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 26-26. Color highly variable, brownish on upper half, grading to white below; dark brown scale margins forming honeycomb pattern and midlateral row of double dark brown spots forming rectangular markings (Ref. 90102); segmented and non branching caudal rays 3 (rarely 2), branching 14 (rarely 15). Predorsal cycloid scales 7-10, trunk ctenoid. Few with no black spots on nape. Isthmus narrow, scaled forward to vertical at posterior part of preoperculum. 2 diagonal, dusky lines on operculum; an inverted U-shaped spot prominent at the distal end of upper jaw. Pectoral fin with small dusky spots; 2 longitudinal lines on pectoral base spreading onto it fin rays. Sexual dimorphism exhibited in anal, pelvic and 2nd dorsal fin (Ref. 420).
 Biology:  A common species that inhabits areas of coralline sand of clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710, 48637). Found singly. Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:  Recorded from Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756). Museum: USNM 254289, 254290 - 254292. Also Ref. 420. Type locality, Apo Island, Philippines (Ref. 075154).

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 31.05.91
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 24.04.13
 Checked by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 16.06.94

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