Blacktip Sandgoby, Fusigobius melacron (Randall 2001)


A Blacktip Sandgoby, Fusigobius melacron, at Ambon Bay, Moluccas, Indonesia. Source: Jim Greenfield / FishBase. License: All rights reserved

Summary:
A small greyish translucent sandgoby with small yellowish-brown to dusky reddish-orange spots, a series of larger dark blotches along the back, and a dark outer half on the first dorsal fin.

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2022, Fusigobius melacron in Fishes of Australia, accessed 18 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/124

Blacktip Sandgoby, Fusigobius melacron (Randall 2001)

More Info


Distribution

Recorded in Australia from Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea, and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland; also Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. Elsewhere the species occurs in the tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific. Inhabits sandy and rubble patches near reefs.

Features

Dorsal fin VI + I, 10; Anal fin I, 9; Pectoral fin 19-21; Longitudinal scale series 27.
Body depth 4.7-5.2 in SL; gill opening extending to below rear edge of preopercle; pelvic fins united only at base; pelvic frenum absent; caudal fin rounded. Scales mostly ctenoid; cycloid scales on breast, base of pectoral fin and few scales on side of nape; operculum naked; median predorsal scales absent. 

Colour

Body semi-translucent grey with numerous small yellowish brown or dusky orange-red spots; presence of series of larger dark blotches along back; brown to blackish outer half of first dorsal fin. 

Etymology

The specific name melacron is from the Greek melas (= black) and akron (= tip, top), in reference to the dark upper part of the dorsal fin, its most characteristic colour marking.

Species Citation

Coryphopterus melacron Randall, 2001, Zoological Studies 40(3): 218, figs 12-14. Type locality: Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. 

Author

Bray, D.J. 2022

Resources

Atlas of Living Australia

Blacktip Sandgoby, Fusigobius melacron (Randall 2001)

References


Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp.

Moore, G.I., Morrison, S.M. & Johnson, J.W. 2020. The distribution of shallow marine fishes of the Kimberley, Western Australia, based on a long-term dataset and multiple methods. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 85: 105-115 + Appendix Tab. 1. https://doi.org/10.18195/issn.0313-122x.85.2020.105-115

Nakabo, T. (ed.) 2002. Fishes of Japan with pictorial keys to the species. English edition. Tokyo : Tokai University Press Vol. 2 pp. 867-1749.

Randall, J.E. 2001. Five new Indo-Pacific gobiid fishes of the genus Coryphopterus. Zoological Studies 40(3): 206-225. See ref online

Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific. New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press 707 pp.

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37428366

Depth:7-31 m

Habitat:Reef associated, sand-rubble areas

Max Size:4.5 cm TL

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