Eyebar Goby

Distinguished by the following characteristics: moderate-sized (up to 56 mm SL) with wide range in live colour pattern; ctenoid body scales usually reaching rear corner of opercle, occasionally ctenoid scales reaching to above rear preopercular margin; nape midline scales always cycloid, distinct flap present at end of lower lip; when alive, colour variable: body translucent white with five to seven rows of small variably coloured (dull orange, brown, red-brown to blackish) spots and/or thin lines and about six indistinct diffuse orange-brown to purple-brown blotches along midside; narrow vertical black mark on top of each eye, marks may join each other across interorbital space, and narrow black vertical line crossing cheek below eye; small dark mark of variable shape (often W-shaped) above pectoral fin base, with small yellow spot in centre; second dorsal and anal fin rays usually I,11; pectoral rays 12-18, modally 16; lateral scales 24-30, modally 27; 7-12 predorsal scales (modally 9) (Ref. 92171).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 11

Feeds on detritus, plants and benthic invertebrates (Ref. 6110).

A common species that occurs in sheltered sandy areas from reef flats to seaward reefs; over sandy bottoms near pieces of rubble, rock, or coral (live or dead) (Ref. 9710, 48637, 92171). Solitary or in small groups (Ref. 90102). Feeds on algae, detritus and small benthic invertebrates (Ref. 89972).

aquarium: commercial

Occurs in the littoral and intertidal zones, in pools on muddy sand bottom (Ref. 4343).